India, Australia, Russia PMs depart after ASEAN Summit

Modi’s other activities include his visit to the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Laguna and his meeting with the members of the Indian community (PCOO PHOTO)

MANILA –Three more world leaders left the Philippines on Tuesday night following their fruitful participation in the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who are dialogue partners of the 10 member states of the ASEAN, departed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The Australian Prime Minister left at 6:48 p.m., followed by the Russian Prime Minister at 7:05 p.m. and then the Indian Prime Minister at 8:57 p.m.

Earlier, United States President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah left Tuesday afternoon.

Modi, Turnbull and Medvedev have separate bilateral talks with President Rodrigo Duterte on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit that seen to enhance the countries’s ties.

During their stay, they also attended separate ASEAN-related summits and bilateral talks with their counterparts.

Modi and Turnbull held bilateral talks which they described a productive meetings focused on increased economic, security, and counter-terrorism cooperation. They also had joint discussions with US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Aside from his participation in the ASEAN-India and 12th East Asia summits, the Indian prime minister also had bilateral talk with United States President Donald Trump where they discussed the comprehensive strategic partnership between the United States and India and their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Modi’s other activities include his visit to the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Laguna and his meeting with the members of the Indian community.

On the other hand, the Australian Prime Minister attended the East Asia Summit (EAS) with ASEAN members, China, India, Japan, Korea, and New Zealand.

Turnbull also visited at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City to witness a war game between Australian and Filipino troops.

He also went to an Australian-funded relief goods warehouse of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Meanwhile, the bilateral talks Russian Prime Minister Medvedev and President Duterte produced eight agreements on trade, energy, education, among others.

During their discussion, President Duterte thanked Russia for its assistance during the conflict in Marawi City.

Duterte also told Medvedev that the Philippines stands ready to expand economic ties with Russia by boosting trade.