India PM Modi To Attend ASEAN Summit Virtually, No Modi-Trump Meeting During Summit

23rd October 2025 at 11:43 AM

1 minute read

PM Modi will not travel to Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN summit later this week and will attend it virtually.

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not travel to Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN summit later this week and will attend it virtually, putting an end to speculation over a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump.

The announcement was made by the Prime Minister himself in an X post. 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 deepening of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi tweeted.

Over the years, India has cultivated ties with the 10-member ASEAN grouping as part of PM Modi’s Act East policy. Thus, the Prime Minister’s decision not to attend the summit in person has raised eyebrows and invited jabs from the opposition that he wanted to avoid Trump. He also mentioned the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, noting that PM Modi will attend virtually due to the Deepavali celebrations in India. “I respect his decision and extended my greetings for a happy Deepavali to him and the entire people of India,” Anwar added.

The Congress party suggested that PM Modi’s decision was influenced by a desire to avoid confrontation with Trump. “For days the speculation has been – will He or won’t He? Will Mr. Modi go to Kuala Lumpur for the Summit or not?” Congress leader Ramesh commented on X. Now it appears certain that the PM will not go. It means the loss of so many opportunities to hug and get photo ops with world leaders or to flaunt himself as the self-styled Vishwaguru,” Ramesh added.

The India-US relationship has been under scrutiny due to trade differences and Trump’s overtures to Pakistan, which have caused unease in India. Despite this, India maintains that the ceasefire following Operation Sindoor in May was directly negotiated between the two militaries. The leaders of the Southeast Asian grouping will meet in the Malaysian capital from October 26 to October 28, with participation from all 10 members of the bloc and key trading partners such as China, Japan, and the US.