ASEAN summit begins in Manila amid tensions in North Korea, South China Sea issue
Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other world leaders arrived in Manila on Monday for the opening ceremony of the two-day ASEAN summit with several thorny issues on the table to be solved.
On Sunday, several world leaders including US President Donald Trump had attended a gala dinner in the Philippines' capital even as tensions continued to simmer over North Korea and China's ambition in the South China Sea.
#WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the venue for opening ceremony of 31st #ASEANSummit in #Manila #Philippines pic.twitter.com/P02tneuTj4
— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2017
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was quick to bring up the thorny issues, saying: "We have to be friends, the other hotheads would like us to confront China and the rest of the world on so many issues."
"The South China Sea is better left untouched, nobody can afford to go to war. It can ill-afford a violent confrontation," the Philippine president said.
Leaders of 10-members had attended the gala dinner including China, Russia, Japan, Canada, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with US President Trump, also with President Duterte of Philippines. The Indian prime minister is also set to address at the ASEAN Bussiness and Investment summit and later attend a Community Reception.