Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided not to travel to Kuala Lumpur for the upcoming ASEAN Summit, opting instead to participate virtually, effectively putting an end to weeks of speculation about a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump.
The high-profile summit will be held from October 26 to 28, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expected to represent India in person, according to PTI reports.
The decision was confirmed personally by the Prime Minister in an X (formerly Twitter) post on Thursday.
“Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship.
Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually and to further strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi wrote.
This will mark another instance of the Indian Prime Minister attending the ASEAN gathering online.
Between 2014 and 2019, Modi participated in person each year, while the 2020 and 2021 editions were virtual due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The only other year he skipped the event entirely was 2022.
A Crucial Summit and a Missed Diplomatic Moment
Over the past decade, India has built a robust relationship with the 10-member ASEAN bloc as part of PM Modi’s flagship “Act East” policy, aimed at enhancing economic, strategic, and cultural ties with Southeast Asia.
His decision to attend virtually this year, therefore, has raised eyebrows and sparked political debate at home.
The move comes against the backdrop of intense speculation that Modi and Trump might meet on the sidelines of the summit to discuss trade and tariff-related tensions.
Last month, Trump had posted on Truth Social, expressing that he was “looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Modi in the coming weeks” as both countries sought to reset their ties after recent strains.
Trump’s attendance in Kuala Lumpur — part of his three-nation Asia tour — further fueled expectations of a face-to-face interaction between the two leaders.
Historically, it is rare for a U.S. president to attend the ASEAN summit since Washington is not a member but only a dialogue partner.
Trump last attended in 2017, while Joe Biden represented the US at the 2022 edition.
Tensions and Trade Frictions
Diplomatic sources note that relations between New Delhi and Washington have faced turbulence in recent months.
The Trump administration imposed steep tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods, citing India’s continued import of Russian oil, which the US alleges indirectly funds Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.
Additionally, talks on a bilateral trade deal have stalled due to Washington’s insistence on greater access to India’s agricultural and dairy markets, a politically sensitive issue domestically for the Modi government.
Despite these tensions, both leaders have spoken twice in the last two months, most recently on Diwali, when Trump extended festive greetings and hinted at reviving dialogue.
In September, Trump had publicly stated that a meeting with Modi was “on the cards in the coming weeks,” raising hopes for a breakthrough.
However, with Modi choosing to attend the ASEAN Summit virtually, the chance for an in-person discussion this year now seems unlikely.
Political Reactions and Opposition Attacks
The Congress Party was quick to seize on the development, suggesting that the Prime Minister was deliberately avoiding Trump to prevent a potentially awkward encounter.
“The reason why Modi is not going is simple. He just doesn’t want to be cornered by President Trump,” Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.
He further quipped, “The PM may well be recalling that old Bollywood hit — ‘Bachke rehna re baba, bachke rehna re.’”
Ramesh added that while PM Modi often praises Trump publicly, “to be seen physically with a man who has repeatedly claimed he stopped Operation Sindoor 53 times and asserted that India agreed to stop buying oil from Russia five times is another matter altogether. It’s far too risky for him.”
Possible Reasons Behind Modi’s Decision
Analysts and diplomatic observers point to several possible factors behind the Prime Minister’s choice to skip the summit in person:
- Avoiding Political Optics: With trade frictions and US tariffs dominating headlines, Modi may have preferred to avoid an unpredictable public interaction with Trump that could be politically exploited by the opposition.
- Domestic Commitments: With several state elections approaching, Modi might be prioritizing internal political strategy and campaign planning.
- Diplomatic Caution: Given the delicate state of India-US relations — especially around oil imports and global trade — the government may be taking a calibrated, low-risk approach until both sides finalize the contours of a broader trade understanding.
- Virtual Diplomacy as a Tool: India has increasingly relied on virtual participation at multilateral forums to maintain engagement while managing multiple diplomatic priorities simultaneously.
While Modi’s decision may be seen as a tactical retreat, it also reflects India’s careful balancing act between safeguarding its strategic autonomy and managing relations with major powers in a shifting geopolitical landscape.
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