Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently embarking on a five-day tour to Southeast Asian countries. At the first stop, Indonesia, Modi's discussions with President Joko Widodo are expected to cover topics ranging from defense and terrorism to social and cultural ties. CGTN's Silkina Ahluwalia reports.

SILKINA AHLUWALIA JAKARTA "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on his first official visit to Indonesia. India has been an important ally to Indonesia for years and Prime Minister Modi's visit is expected to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. We know that a couple of key agreements will be made in the next two days including those in the maritime and defense sector. This visit is also seen as India's way of deepening the relationship it has with ASEAN nations. Indonesia has been perceived as the natural de facto leader of ASEAN being Southeast Asia's largest economy, so Prime Minister Modi is hoping to tighten economic engagement between Indian and ASEAN. He is scheduled to hold a summit with Indonesian President Joko Widodo sometime tomorrow, where he will address a CEOs forum.

Right now, Indonesia is India's largest trading partner in ASEAN and bilateral trade between the two countries stands at around 18 billion US Dollars. We also know that he will speak about the challenges ASEAN nations face when it comes to terrorism and how India can play a role in helping to reduce that in Indonesia. But it won't be all business talk during this trip as Prime Minister Modi will also discuss about the importance of having social and cultural ties with Indonesia. The country is home to around 100,000 people of Indian origin and so strengthening those ties are equally important. Silkina Ahluwalia, CGTN, Jakarta."