PM Modi Likely to Skip ASEAN Summit in Malaysia; Jaishankar to Represent India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to attend the ASEAN summit in Malaysia starting Sunday due to scheduling conflicts, according to sources familiar with the matter.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is expected to represent India at the meetings taking place in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28.

While there has been no official announcement regarding India's level of participation, sources indicate that Malaysia has been informed that Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation.

There remains a possibility that PM Modi may participate in the ASEAN-India summit virtually.

In recent years, the prime minister has personally led Indian delegations at both the ASEAN-India summit and the East Asia Summit.

Malaysia has extended invitations to several world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to visit Kuala Lumpur for two days beginning October 26.

The relationship between ASEAN and India began with the establishment of a sectoral partnership in 1992, which evolved into a full dialogue partnership by December 1995 and reached summit level partnership in 2002. In 2012, the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership.

ASEAN comprises ten member nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Relations between India and ASEAN have significantly strengthened in recent years, with increased focus on cooperation in trade, investment, security, and defense.

According to sources, initial plans had included a visit by PM Modi to Cambodia alongside Malaysia, but with the cancellation of the Malaysia trip, the Cambodia visit has also been postponed.