PM Modi to virtually attend Asean Summit, says Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim said PM Modi informed him over a call that he would attend the 47th Asean Summit virtually as Diwali celebrations continue in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the upcoming Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit in Kuala Lumpur virtually due to the ongoing Diwali festivities, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday.

 

In a post on X, Ibrahim said he received a call from PM Modi last night, during which the two leaders discussed the 47th Asean Summit to be held in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28.

 

“He (PM Modi) informed me that he would be attending the summit virtually, as the Deepavali celebrations would still be taking place in India at that time. I respect his decision and extended my best wishes for a joyous Deepavali to him and to all the people of India,” Ibrahim said.  PM Modi also confirmed the same through a post on X. "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," he said.

 

 

US President Trump, others to attend in person

 

The 10 Asean member countries — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia — will participate in the meeting.

 

Malaysia has also invited US President Donald Trump and leaders of several dialogue-partner countries. Trump has confirmed his attendance and is scheduled to travel to Kuala Lumpur on October 26 for a two-day trip.

 

India–Malaysia ties remain strong

 

Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the depth of India–Malaysia relations, saying India “remains an important partner” for Malaysia across trade, investment, technology, education, and regional security.

 

“Malaysia remains committed to strengthening bilateral relations and further enhancing Asean–India cooperation towards a more peaceful and prosperous region,” he added. 

Earlier, the Malaysian government representatives said that PM Modi would be one of the world leaders attending the summit. However, the Indian government did not confirm his participation.

 

Last week, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said the Indian PM was “likely” to attend the summit. There were also reports that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar might attend the summit instead of PM Modi.

 

No Trump-Modi meeting on cards?

 

The Asean Summit marks another major global event where PM Modi and President Trump won't share the same stage. PM Modi and Trump last met in February in Washington DC. However, the bilateral ties have seen friction over the last few months due to the US' 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports, half of them due to New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil.

 

Earlier this month, PM Modi skipped the Gaza peace summit in Egypt, which was attended by several world leaders, including Trump and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

 

Despite trade tensions, diplomatic contact has continued. The two leaders spoke on September 17, when Trump wished PM Modi on his birthday; on October 9, when PM Modi congratulated Trump on the Gaza peace deal; and again on October 21, when Trump wished PM Modi on Diwali.

 

However, uncertainty lingers over the India–US trade deal. Business Standard reported last week that a Commerce Ministry delegation, led by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, travelled to Washington to push for an early conclusion of the proposed agreement.

 

Trump has claimed that PM Modi assured him India would gradually reduce Russian oil imports, though there has been no official confirmation from New Delhi.