Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opted out of attending the forthcoming ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. The primary drivers behind this decision are the pressing demands of domestic politics, particularly the upcoming Bihar state elections, and the absence of a breakthrough in trade negotiations with the United States. Reports indicate that the Prime Minister’s immediate attention is required for the festival of Chhath Puja, a significant regional observance. While a formal announcement is awaited, it is confirmed that PM Modi will participate in the India-ASEAN Summit through a virtual conference on October 26. The East Asia Summit, scheduled for October 27-28, will see India represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The much-anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump at the summit has been called off due to the ongoing trade tensions and the lack of a resolution in bilateral trade discussions. Despite ongoing dialogues and recent communications between the leaders, a positive outcome for a trade agreement remains elusive. President Trump’s itinerary includes a visit to Malaysia on October 26 before heading to Japan.
