New Delhi:It will be time for strengthening international relations as the heads of state of the 10 ASEAN nations begin arriving in New Delhi today. Leaders from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei will be present India for the India-ASEAN commemorative summit that will be organized on Thursday. The event will witness 25 years of India's association with the Southeast Asian alliance. The Republic Day parade this year will also see the record setting charisma of the 10 ASEAN creams of the crops. This comes at a time India is enthusiastic on changing its 'Look East' policy to 'Act East' policy.

"The prime minister's intention that the 'Look East' policy should now be the 'Act East' policy is really taking shape," stated Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. "And, by the very presence of 10 leaders from ASEAN during the Republic Day celebrations, India will definitely showcase its 'Act East' policy," she further  said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with the visiting 10- ASEAN leaders. Well-known among those will be the one with the State Counsellor of Myanmar, Aung Sang Suu Kyi, today twilight.

Trade will be a key focal point at the bilateral conference and so will greater infrastructural connectivity, regional development in the northeastern states and regional security.

"In the year 2016, India exported textiles and apparel worth $1,203 million to ASEAN and imported textiles and apparel worth $546 million from ASEAN. With the ability to produce a diverse range of products, India has the potential to become the one-stop sourcing destination for brands and retailers of ASEAN nations," stated Textiles Minister Smriti Irani.