PM Narendra Modi to meet US Vice President in Singapore

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet US Vice President Mike Pence during a visit to Singapore on November 14-15 for India-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and the 13th East Asia Summit (EAS), a senior official said on Monday. “Let me confirm that there will be a meeting between the Prime Minister and US Vice President Mike Pence,” Vijay Thakur Singh, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, said at a media briefing here. More details will be shared after the meeting between Modi and Pence on November 14, Singh said.

The meeting assumes significance as US President Donald Trump has turned down an invitation to attend India’s 2019 Republic Day celebrations as chief guest ostensibly due to scheduling reasons. Singh said other bilateral meetings were also being arranged between Modi and other visiting leaders in Singapore. Singh said that high on Modi’s agenda will be a summit meeting on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) on November 14.

The RCEP is expected to be concluded by the end of the year as New Delhi continues to increase its engagement with Southeast Asia under its Act East Policy. Modi will attend the 13th EAS and his fifth India-Asean Summit during his 36-hour visit to the Southeast Asian city-state. (IANS)

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