Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 13th East Asia Summit in Singapore today.

The summit is a regional forum held annually by leaders of 18 countries in the East Asian, Southeast Asian and South Asian regions, including Russia and the United States.

Since its inception in 2005, the summit has played a significant role in the strategic, geopolitical and economic evolution of East Asia.

Mr Modi met leaders of 10 ASEAN countries in an informal India-ASEAN summit this morning. He also presented awards to winners of first India-Singapore Hackathon, which has students from both the countries providing questions and solutions.

Last evening, Mr Modi attended the second Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit with 16 member states. He reiterated India’s commitment to the early conclusion of high quality, comprehensive and balanced Regional Economic Partnership agreement.

The Prime Minister urged the leaders to give the required mandate to their Trade Ministers so that RCEP negotiations can be concluded at the earliest.

Mr Modi also held bilateral meetings with his Singaporean, Australian and Thai counterparts. He also met US Vice President Mike Pence. After attending the East Asia Summit, the Prime Minister will leave for home today concluding his two-day visit to Singapore.