Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in person later this week and will instead participate virtually, government sources confirmed.
The announcement came after a phone conversation between Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. 
The decision has sparked considerable discussion in diplomatic and political circles.
&ldquo;Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysia&rsquo;s ASEAN chairmanship and conveyed best wishes for the success of the upcoming summits. Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually and to further deepening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,&rdquo; Modi posted on X.
According to officials, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will travel to Malaysia to represent India in person. 
Modi&rsquo;s virtual attendance rules out any possibility of a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the summit.
The Ministry of External Affairs said, &ldquo;The East Asia Summit will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and to exchange views on regional and international developments.&rdquo;
In his own post on X, Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that Modi decided to attend virtually due to ongoing Diwali celebrations in India. 
&ldquo;I respect his decision and extended my greetings for a happy Diwali to him and the people of India,&rdquo; Anwar wrote. He also reaffirmed Malaysia&rsquo;s commitment to strengthening ASEAN&ndash;India cooperation &ldquo;towards a more peaceful and prosperous region.&rdquo;
However, analysts suggest domestic and diplomatic factors may have influenced Modi&rsquo;s decision. 
The upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar, a key state for the BJP, are expected to occupy much of the Prime Minister&rsquo;s focus.
Additionally, India&rsquo;s relations with the United States have seen strain following steep tariff hikes on Indian exports by the Trump administration. 
Diplomatic insiders believe the Indian leadership may have wanted to avoid an uncomfortable public meeting between Modi and Trump amid these trade tensions.
Despite his absence, Modi will address the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, while Jaishankar will participate in the in-person discussions and bilateral engagements.
The 47th ASEAN Summit, scheduled for October 26&ndash;27 in Kuala Lumpur, will bring together leaders from Southeast Asia and major dialogue partners &mdash; including India, the US, China, Japan, and Australia &mdash; to discuss regional security, trade, and strategic cooperation.

Modi attends ASEAN Summit virtually from Delhi

PM Modi to attend ASEAN Summit online amid Diwali, Jaishankar to represent India in person

Modi To Skip ASEAN Meet, Joins Virtually

PM Modi to attend ASEAN Summit online amid Diwali, Jaishankar to represent India in person

October 24, 2025 | 10:45 IST