Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an informal breakfast summit with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in Singapore on Thursday.

The Prime Minister said, prior to arriving in the island nation, that his presence would show the country's clear commitment to engagement with the wider region.

He will also participate in Thursday's East Asia Summit, along with the ten-member ASEAN's other key dialogue partners, including the US, China, Australia, Canada and Russia.

The subject of the freedom of navigation of the South China Sea is likely to be prominent on Thursday, in the East Asia Summit, with the US and allies like Australia keen to challenge China's expansion in the area.