PM Modi to Attend ASEAN Summit Virtually; EAM Jaishankar to Lead India’s Delegation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be physically attending the 47th ASEAN Summit, scheduled to take place from October 26 to 28, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The decision comes as the summit coincides with India’s Deepavali celebrations, prompting the Prime Minister to participate virtually. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent India at the summit, ensuring that the nation maintains a strong diplomatic presence at this key regional forum.

In a conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, PM Modi conveyed his regrets for not being able to attend in person while extending his best wishes to Malaysia for a successful ASEAN Chairmanship. He reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, highlighting the importance India places on regional cooperation.

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India-ASEAN Relations: A Growing Strategic Partnership

India’s engagement with ASEAN has evolved over decades. Beginning with sectoral partnerships in 1992, India advanced to a full dialogue partnership in 1995, summit-level interactions in 2002, and ultimately a strategic partnership in 2012. Over the years, the relationship has deepened across multiple dimensions, including trade, investment, security, and defense cooperation.

The ASEAN Summit provides an opportunity for India to showcase its Act East Policy, which seeks to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian nations. The forum also allows India to engage in discussions on regional security, maritime stability, connectivity, and multilateral partnerships, underscoring its commitment to the Indo-Pacific’s strategic architecture.

ASEAN Summit: Regional and Global Participation

The 47th ASEAN Summit will bring together leaders from the 10 member countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Additionally, dialogue partners such as the United States, represented by President Donald Trump, will participate. Although there had been speculation about a potential face-to-face meeting between PM Modi and President Trump, Modiji’s virtual attendance rules out this possibility.

Malaysia, as the host nation, aims to highlight its achievements and priorities for the ASEAN Chairmanship. The summit will also serve as a platform to discuss new initiatives that strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, further consolidating India’s role as a proactive regional player.

The MGMM Outlook

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate virtually in the 47th ASEAN Summit, scheduled from October 26 to 28, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, due to its overlap with India’s Diwali celebrations. Representing India at the summit, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will ensure the country maintains a strong diplomatic presence. In discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, emphasizing the significance of regional cooperation and India’s continuous efforts to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia.

India’s relationship with ASEAN has steadily grown over decades, evolving from sectoral and dialogue partnerships to a strategic partnership in 2012, encompassing trade, investment, security, and defense cooperation. The ASEAN Summit serves as an important platform for India to showcase its Act East Policy, engage in discussions on regional security, maritime stability, and connectivity, and enhance multilateral partnerships. Participation at this level underscores India’s proactive role in the Indo-Pacific region, strengthening its strategic presence and reinforcing its commitment to long-term regional collaboration.

(Sources: Moneycontrol, India Today, Economic Times)