Why PM Modi Isn’t Visiting Kuala Lumpur for ASEAN Summit, Malaysia's PM Anwar Ibrahim Shares Reason

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he would join the ASEAN-India Summit virtually in Malaysia next week. The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit will be held in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28.Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that PM Modi will not be travelling to 47th ASEAN Summit, but will attend it virtually. PM Ibrahim said that PM Modi won't be able to attend the summit due to the "ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India." PM Modi conveyed his decision to his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim during a phone call on Thursday. PM Modi posted on X regarding his conversation with his Malaysian counterpart. "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," PM Modi said in a post on X.

"Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, and to further deepening of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," PM Modi said.According to a PTI report, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will represent India at the summit. Regarding his conversation with PM Modi, PM Ibrahim said, "Last night, I received a phone call from a colleague of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, to discuss efforts to strengthen Malaysia–India bilateral relations to a more strategic and comprehensive level. India remains an important partner for Malaysia in the fields of trade and investment, in addition to close cooperation in the sectors of technology, education, and regional security. e also touched on the organization of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur at the end of this month."

"H informed me that he will attend virtually due to the ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India at that time. 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 added.

The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit will be held in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28. The 10 member countries of ASEAN are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. This year, Malaysia has invited US President Donald Trump as well as leaders of several countries which are the dialogue partners of the ASEAN. The ASEAN-India dialogue relations started with the establishment of a sectoral partnership in 1992. This graduated to full dialogue partnership in December 1995 and summit level partnership in 2002. The ties were elevated to a strategic partnership in 2012.