New Delhi: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday that he will participate virtually in the upcoming ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, scheduled from October 26 to October 28, 2025. The decision effectively rules out a face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to attend the summit in person, highlighting the current complexities in U.S.-India diplomatic and trade relations.
Modi conveyed his plans via X (formerly Twitter), expressing his anticipation to further deepen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in conversations with Modi, noted that the Prime Minister’s virtual participation is due to India’s ongoing Deepavali celebrations, an important cultural and religious festival celebrated this week.
The ASEAN summit will gather leaders from all ten member nations, alongside key partners including China, Japan, and the United States. Speculation about a Modi-Trump meeting had grown after Malaysia’s foreign minister indicated a possible visit by Trump on October 26, though Washington has not issued official confirmation. The absence of a scheduled bilateral meeting underscores the ongoing trade tensions and diplomatic balancing between New Delhi and Washington.
U.S.-India trade negotiations have been particularly challenging due to India’s continued imports of Russian oil. In August, the United States imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, raising total levies to 50%, a move that has complicated the path toward a mutually acceptable trade agreement. Although recent reports suggest potential progress toward reducing tariffs to around 15–16%, the finalization of a deal remains contingent on resolving issues in energy and agriculture sectors.
While Modi and Trump recently engaged in a phone conversation focusing largely on trade, the Prime Minister’s absence in Kuala Lumpur signals the intricate dance of international diplomacy, as India balances domestic priorities, regional partnerships, and global trade pressures. The ASEAN summit remains a critical platform for India to reinforce its strategic engagement in Southeast Asia, even as high-level bilateral engagements face logistical and geopolitical challenges.
This detailed news captures the diplomatic nuances surrounding Modi’s virtual participation and the broader implications for India-U.S. relations.