Will PM Modi Miss the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Will PM Modi miss the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia? Sources suggest he may not attend due to scheduling conflicts, with EAM Jaishankar stepping in to represent India. This article explores the implications of this potential absence and what it means for India's relations with ASEAN.
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi may skip the ASEAN Summit due to scheduling conflicts.
- EAM S. Jaishankar is set to represent India at the summit.
- The summit will take place in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28.
- India's relations with ASEAN have significantly strengthened in recent years.
- PM Modi has only missed one EAS since taking office.
New Delhi, Oct 23 (NationPress) It appears that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may not attend the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, which is set to begin on Sunday. Sources indicate that due to scheduling conflicts, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will step in to represent India at the summit.
The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit will take place in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28.
As of now, there is no official confirmation regarding India's participation level in the summit discussions.
Reports suggest that India has informed Malaysia that EAM Jaishankar will represent the nation during the ASEAN meetings.
There is a possibility that PM Modi may join the ASEAN-India summit virtually.
Since taking office in 2014, PM Modi has only missed one East Asia Summit (EAS) – the 17th edition held in November 2022 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
With the 20th EAS approaching in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) remained non-committal on whether PM Modi would attend both the ASEAN and EAS summits.
However, Malaysian officials and media have indicated that PM Modi is expected to be among the world leaders attending the EAS, which also includes US President Donald Trump and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
In recent years, the Prime Minister has led Indian delegations at both the ASEAN-India summit and the East Asia Summit.
The ten member nations of ASEAN include Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
Over the past years, the bilateral relations between India and ASEAN have significantly improved, concentrating on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, security, and defense.
Initially, a visit by PM Modi to both Cambodia and Malaysia was under consideration.
However, with PM Modi not traveling to Malaysia, the planned trip to Cambodia has been postponed, according to sources.
Malaysia has also invited US President Donald Trump and leaders from other countries that are ASEAN dialogue partners.
Trump is scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on October 26 for a two-day visit.
The relationship between ASEAN and India began with a sectoral partnership in 1992, evolving to a full dialogue partnership in December 1995 and a summit-level partnership by 2002.
These ties were elevated to a strategic partnership in 2012.
PM Modi participated in his first EAS as India’s Prime Minister in Myanmar in November 2014 and attended subsequent summits in Malaysia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.
The 16th and 17th EAS were conducted online, hosted by Vietnam and Brunei in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
He also attended the latest summits in September 2023 and October 2024 in Indonesia and Laos.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize India's evolving role in regional diplomacy. While PM Modi's potential absence from the ASEAN Summit raises questions, it also underscores the importance of our diplomatic engagements through EAM Jaishankar. The focus remains on strengthening ties with ASEAN nations amidst changing geopolitical landscapes.
NationPress
23/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why might PM Modi skip the ASEAN Summit?
Sources indicate that scheduling conflicts are the primary reason for PM Modi's potential absence from the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia.
Who will represent India at the ASEAN Summit?
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to represent India at the ASEAN Summit in the absence of PM Modi.
When is the ASEAN Summit taking place?
The ASEAN Summit is scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from October 26 to 28.
What is the significance of the ASEAN Summit for India?
The ASEAN Summit is crucial for India to strengthen diplomatic ties and enhance cooperation in trade, investment, security, and defense with ASEAN member countries.
Has PM Modi attended previous ASEAN Summits?
Yes, PM Modi has led Indian delegations at ASEAN Summits in recent years, attending multiple editions since he took office in 2014.
