Anwar bin Ibrahim

PM Modi to Attend India-Asean Summit Virtually Due to Deepavali Celebrations

Strategic Insights

Oct 23, 2025 — 1 min read

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has informed his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim that he will attend the India-Asean summit virtually, averting speculation of a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Kuala Lumpur. The decision is reportedly due to ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India. The move spares Modi the potential discomfort of meeting Trump amidst a US-India trade deadlock and growing differences over Pakistan-related issues. In a conversation with Ibrahim, Modi expressed his eagerness to deepen the Asean-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Key Takeaways:

PM Modi will attend the India-Asean summit virtually due to ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India.
The decision spares Modi the potential discomfort of meeting Trump amidst a US-India trade deadlock and growing differences over Pakistan-related issues.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar will represent Modi at the East Asia Summit on October 27.
India remains an important partner of Malaysia in trade and investment, technology, education, and regional security sectors, according to Ibrahim.
Congress has questioned Modi's decision not to visit Malaysia, suggesting it might be due to avoiding being "cornered by Trump".
Modi has praised Trump on social media previously but prefers to maintain a safe distance in person.

Statistics:

53: the number of times Trump has claimed to have stopped Operation Sindoor.
5: the number of times Trump has claimed that India has promised to stop buying oil from Russia.
October 27: the date of the East Asia Summit where Foreign Minister S Jaishankar will represent Modi.

Sources:

"[PM Narendra Modi spoke to his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim](https://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/pm-modi-speak-to-anwar-ibrahim-before-asean-summit/articleshow_articleshow.html)"
"MEA statement on Foreign Minister S Jaishankar representing PM Modi at East Asia Summit"
"[Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh's statement on PM Modi's decision](https://twitter.com/jairam_ramesh/status/1504771016334670928)"

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