New Delhi: Prime Minister Modi will not be traveling to Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN summit this week and will instead participate virtually, ending speculation about a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is expected to represent India at the summit, scheduled for October 26 to 28. Last month, Trump mentioned in a Truth Social post that he was eager to meet Modi in the “coming weeks,” as India and the US sought to improve their relationship following recent tensions. This raised expectations that the two leaders might meet at the ASEAN summit. The Prime Minister announced his decision to attend virtually in a post on X on Thursday.
“Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship… Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, and to further deepening of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi tweeted. Modi has consistently attended the annual summit in person every year from 2014 to 2019.