Southeast Asian leaders met in Laos on Wednesday for a summit expected to find ways of tackling a worsening civil war in Myanmar, with Thailand set to propose a new path for a political solution after a regional peace effort made scant progress.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took some time to mingle with the Malaysian delegation during a dinner event amidst a packed schedule of meetings and bilateral discussions in conjunction with the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for a two-day trip to Laos to attend the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, aiming to review and chart future India-ASEAN relations under the Act East policy and promoting regional stability and strategic trust.

VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders gathered in the capital of Laos on Wednesday for an annual regional forum that will focus on tackling the prolonged civil war in Myanmar and territorial tensions in the South China Sea, two key challenges that have long tested the bloc's credibility.

By Panu Wongcha-um VIENTIANE, Laos (Reuters) -Southeast Asian leaders met in Laos on Wednesday for a summit expected to seek ways address the worsening civil war in Myanmar, with Thailand calling for heightened engagement ahead of a planned election by the country's embattled military rulers.

Southeast Asian leaders are meeting at an annual forum that will focus on the civil war in Myanmar and territorial tensions in the South China Sea, two challenges that have long tested the bloc’s cred