External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would represent Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 20th East Asia Summit in Malaysia on October 27, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday.
This
came hours after PM Modi confirmed that he would not be travelling to Kuala Lumpur for the 47th ASEAN Summit, but would attend it virtually, after a telephonic conversation with his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim.
“Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will virtually attend the 22nd ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) – India Summit on 26 October 2025. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the ASEAN leaders will jointly review the progress in ASEAN-India relations and discuss initiatives for strengthening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Strengthening the relationship with ASEAN is a key pillar of our Act East Policy and our Indo-Pacific vision,” said the MEA in a statement.
“External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will represent Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 27 October, 2025. The East Asia Summit will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and also exchange views on regional and international developments,” it added.
Prime Minister Modi had a warm and cordial conversation with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during which the former conveyed his best wishes to Malaysia for the successful conduct of the upcoming ASEAN-related Summits.
Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, “Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysia’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 of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and conveyed best wishes for the success of upcoming Summits. Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, and to further…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 23, 2025
Ibrahim also confirmed that PM Modi would attend the event virtually due to the ongoing Diwali celebrations in India. “I respect his decision and extended my greetings for a happy Deepavali to him and the entire people of India. Malaysia will remain committed to strengthening Malaysia–India relations and further enhancing ASEAN–India cooperation towards a more peaceful and prosperous region,” he said.
The high-level event in Kuala Lumpur will include a host of dignitaries, including US President Donald Trump, and it was widely expected that the ASEAN Summit would provide an opportunity for a meeting between Trump and PM Modi, as relations between New Delhi and Washington remain strained over punitive tariffs.
Both leaders exchanged greetings on Diwali, but there are no plans for a meeting as the US and India are negotiating a trade pact. President Trump had earlier invited PM Modi at the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt, but India was represented by MoS External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh.
