NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed on Thursday via an X post that he will join the ASEAN-India Summit virtually later this week, citing cordial exchanges with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and congratulating him on Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship. The summit, scheduled from October 26 to 28 in Kuala Lumpur, will now see External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar representing India in person, according to PTI reports.
The announcement ends speculation of a Modi–Trump meeting that had gained traction after Trump, in a Truth Social post last month, said he was looking forward to meeting Modi “in the coming weeks” as both nations sought to mend recent strains in their bilateral relationship. Observers had expected the two leaders to meet on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit, where Trump is set to participate as part of his three-nation Asia tour, a rare occurrence for a US president at the regional bloc’s gathering.
Over the past decade, Modi has been a regular fixture at the annual ASEAN summits, attending them in person from 2014 to 2019 and virtually during the pandemic years. The only previous absence came in 2022. His Act East policy has deepened India’s ties with the 10-member ASEAN grouping, making this year’s virtual participation particularly notable and drawing criticism from opposition voices suggesting the Prime Minister was avoiding a potentially awkward encounter with Trump.
Relations between India and the US have faced turbulence in recent months after Trump imposed tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods in response to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil, a move Washington claims indirectly sustains Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Trade negotiations have also hit a deadlock over the Trump administration’s demands for greater access to India’s agricultural and dairy markets.
Despite tensions, the two leaders have maintained contact, holding two phone conversations in recent months, the latest just this week when Trump extended Diwali greetings to Modi. In September, Trump indicated optimism that a trade deal could soon be finalised, suggesting a meeting with Modi was imminent.
With Modi opting out of the Kuala Lumpur summit, however, prospects for such a meeting before year-end appear dim. The two last met during Modi’s February visit to Washington. A potential encounter at Egypt’s Gaza Peace Summit earlier this month, where Trump was present, also did not materialize.
Prime Minister Modi will join the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attending in person, quelling rumors of a Modi-Trump meeting. This decision comes amid strained India-US relations, with Modi's absence sparking criticism and reducing the likelihood of a bilateral meeting before the year's end.