Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided not to attend the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in person and will instead join the deliberations virtually, according to official and diplomatic sources. The summit, scheduled from October 26 to 28, 2025, is being attended by several world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump .

Modi announced his decision through an official post on the platform X (formerly Twitter), after holding a telephonic conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. In his message, he congratulated Malaysia on its ASEAN chairmanship and confirmed his virtual attendance at the ASEAN-India Summit. “Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia… Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually and to further deepening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Modi wrote .

While no official explanation was offered for the Prime Minister’s absence, government insiders have cited scheduling conflicts and upcoming festive events like Diwali and Chhath Puja as key reasons. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to represent India at the East Asia Summit and related meetings .

However, the decision has stirred political speculation. The opposition Congress party alleged that the Prime Minister’s absence is linked to his reluctance to share the spotlight with President Trump, especially after recent diplomatic friction and Trump’s strong comments on India’s trade policies. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed that Modi “did not want to be cornered” by the U.S. leader during the summit .

Despite skipping the in-person event, Modi’s virtual participation underscores India’s commitment to strengthening its Act East policy and deepening ties with the 10-member ASEAN bloc. These nations—Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia—play a central role in India’s regional strategy and economic engagement .

Over the years, Modi has consistently attended ASEAN Summits, both physically and virtually, reflecting New Delhi’s growing engagement with Southeast Asia. This strategic choice indicates continuity in India’s diplomatic outreach, even as domestic commitments and global realignments shape the Prime Minister’s travel calendar .