Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confirmed that he will not travel to Kuala Lumpur for the 47th ASEAN Summit later this month, opting instead to participate virtually. The announcement came following his cordial conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Taking to X, Modi shared, “Had a warm exchange with my friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and extended best wishes for the success of the upcoming summits.” He further expressed his eagerness to join the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, emphasizing the continued strengthening of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Confirming the update, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Modi’s decision was influenced by the ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India. “We discussed preparations for the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur at the end of this month. Prime Minister Modi informed me that he would attend virtually due to Deepavali festivities. I respect his decision and have conveyed my warm wishes to him and the people of India,” Ibrahim stated.
He also revealed that both nations are actively working to enhance bilateral cooperation. “I received a phone call from one of Prime Minister Modi’s colleagues to explore ways to elevate Malaysia-India relations to a more strategic and comprehensive level. India continues to be a key partner for Malaysia in trade, investment, technology, education, and regional security,” Ibrahim added. He reiterated Malaysia’s dedication to advancing both bilateral and regional cooperation within the ASEAN framework.
Meanwhile, in a separate diplomatic development, United States President Donald Trump announced plans for an upcoming trip to Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. He highlighted an important meeting scheduled with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
Trump also disclosed that he had called off a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing a lack of progress in negotiations. “It didn’t feel right to me,” he said, explaining that he preferred to avoid a “wasted meeting.” The cancellation follows Russia’s rejection of Trump’s proposed ceasefire plan for Ukraine.
Trump expressed optimism about his forthcoming discussions with Xi, indicating that the two leaders would address issues related to energy, oil, and global security, with hopes of paving the way for peace talks concerning the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
