Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be traveling to Kuala Lumpur to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit in person, opting instead to participate virtually. The decision, conveyed to his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, is attributed to the ongoing Deepavali festivities and other domestic commitments in India.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed the development following a phone conversation with PM Modi on Wednesday, October 22, and subsequently shared the details in a public statement.
“We also touched upon the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit to be held in Kuala Lumpur at the end of this month,” Anwar Ibrahim wrote on social media. “He informed me that he will be attending virtually, as the Deepavali celebrations will still be taking place in India at that time. I respect his decision and extended my Deepavali greetings to him and the entire people of India.”
The ASEAN Summit and Related Summits are scheduled to take place in the Malaysian capital from October 26 to 28. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to represent the country in person at the East Asia Summit and other related meetings.
The Malaysian premier’s statement underscored the cordial and strategic nature of the bilateral relationship, highlighting that the discussion with PM Modi was focused on strengthening Malaysia–India relations to a “more strategic and comprehensive level.” Anwar reiterated India’s significance as a key partner for Malaysia in the realms of trade, investment, technology, education, and regional security. “Malaysia will remain committed to strengthening Malaysia–India relations and further enhancing ASEAN–India cooperation towards a more peaceful and prosperous region,” he affirmed.
PM Modi also took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm his virtual attendance, stating, “Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and conveyed best wishes for the success of upcoming Summits. Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, and to further deepening of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
The move comes as the summit was widely anticipated to be a platform for key bilateral engagements, particularly a potential face-to-face meeting between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump, who is also scheduled to attend the gathering. The cancellation of the in-person visit means this highly anticipated meeting, which would have addressed ongoing trade disputes and other geopolitical issues, is now off the table. Some political observers in India have suggested that the scheduling conflict may also be linked to other domestic priorities, including upcoming state elections and the Chhath Puja festival.
Regardless of the political interpretations, PM Anwar Ibrahim’s respectful acknowledgment of PM Modi’s decision ensures that the focus remains on the enduring strategic partnership between India and the ASEAN bloc. India has been a dialogue partner of ASEAN since 1995, with the ties being elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in recent years. The virtual participation signals India’s continued high-level commitment to the grouping, even as its leader manages important domestic affairs.