New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cancelled his planned visit to Malaysia for the upcoming ASEAN-related summit, opting instead to join the discussions virtually. The decision, announced officially on Friday, has sparked political debate in India, with the opposition party Congress alleging that the move stems from Modi’s reluctance to meet with US President Donald Trump.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, along with several related meetings, is scheduled to take place from October 26 to 28 in Kuala Lumpur. Modi had initially been expected to attend in person, marking an important opportunity for high-level diplomacy with regional leaders, including Trump. However, the Indian government later confirmed that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will now represent India and lead the delegation at the East Asia Summit on October 27.
Official Explanation and Malaysia’s Response
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) did not provide an official reason for the change in Modi’s travel plans. However, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that Modi had informed him the cancellation was due to ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India during the same period.
“I respect his decision and extended my greetings for a happy Deepavali to him and the entire people of India,” Ibrahim wrote on the social media platform X, adding that he discussed details of the 47th ASEAN Summit with Modi during a phone call.
Modi later confirmed the same explanation in a statement, saying, “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. I look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually and to further deepening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
Congress Alleges Political Motives
While the government cited cultural celebrations as the reason, India’s Congress Party strongly contested this narrative. Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh suggested that Modi’s decision was politically motivated, accusing him of wanting to avoid an encounter with President Donald Trump, who will be attending the summit.
“The reason why Mr. Modi is not going is simple,” Ramesh posted on X. “He just doesn’t want to be cornered by President Trump, who will also be there.”
He further mocked the prime minister, saying Modi was avoiding Trump because of the US leader’s repeated claims that he had influenced India’s policies — including stopping Operation Sindoor and halting oil imports from Russia. “It’s one thing to post messages praising Trump, but far too risky to be physically seen with him,” Ramesh said, adding sarcastically, “The PM may well be recalling that old Bollywood song: Bachke rehna re baba, bachke rehna re.”
In another post, Ramesh referred to reports that Reliance Industries plans to adjust its imports of Russian crude oil in line with government directives, quipping, “Modi Proposes, Reliance Disposes, Trump Exposes.”
Diplomatic and Domestic Factors
The change in Modi’s travel plans comes at a time of uneasy relations between India and the United States, driven by Trump’s punitive tariffs on India over its continued purchase of Russian oil. The Kuala Lumpur summit was seen as a possible venue for Modi and Trump to engage directly for the first time since tensions began rising over trade and foreign policy.
Indian and American officials recently confirmed that the two leaders exchanged Deepavali greetings via phone, though their accounts of the conversation differed. According to US sources, Trump told Indian-American community members that the call focused on trade negotiations, Russian oil imports, and “no war with Pakistan.” Indian officials, however, maintained that Pakistan was not discussed.
Some Indian media outlets, including The Hindu, reported that internal factors also influenced Modi’s decision. Officials cited his involvement in the Bihar election campaign, which may have required his presence in India during the same time frame.
Earlier Missed Summits and Diplomatic Context
This is not the first time Modi has skipped a major international meeting. A few weeks earlier, he declined an invitation from President Trump to attend the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where India was instead represented by Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs.
Observers suggest that Modi’s decision to attend the ASEAN Summit virtually could be part of a broader strategy to avoid high-profile confrontations with Trump while maintaining diplomatic engagement through lower-level representation.
As the ASEAN Summit convenes in Kuala Lumpur with leaders from across the Asia-Pacific, the absence of India’s prime minister in person is being closely watched — both as a sign of shifting regional dynamics and as a reflection of the delicate balance Modi seeks to maintain in his foreign policy amid global and domestic pressures.
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