India’s Virtual Participation in the 47th ASEAN Summit
Analysis
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided not to travel to Malaysia for the 47th ASEAN Summit and will instead participate virtually in the ASEAN–India Summit.
- The decision was conveyed through a social media post on 23 October 2025.
- The 47th ASEAN Summit and associated meetings are scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur from 26 to 28 October 2025.
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) did not formally cite a reason for the change in travel plans.
- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that PM Modi cited ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India as the reason for opting for virtual participation.
- The MEA announced that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankarwill:
- Represent India in Kuala Lumpur
- Lead the Indian delegation at the East Asia Summit on 27 October 2025
- MEA reaffirmed that ASEAN remains a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision.
- PM Modi congratulated Malaysia on assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship and reiterated India’s commitment to deepening the ASEAN–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- The summit assumes added significance due to the expected presence of several global leaders, including US President Donald Trump, at the East Asia Summit.
- Modi’s absence is notable in the backdrop of:
- Strained India–US trade relations, particularly following US punitive tariffs on India over Russian crude oil imports
- Differing accounts by India and the US regarding recent Modi–Trump conversations
- The development has also drawn domestic political commentary, with opposition parties linking the decision to broader diplomatic considerations.
Necessary Static Part
ASEAN Summit
- ASEAN Summit is the highest decision-making forum of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
- ASEAN comprises 10 member states.
- Summits are held biannually and are often accompanied by related forums such as the East Asia Summit (EAS).
East Asia Summit (EAS)
- Includes ASEAN members and key partners such as:
- India, United States, China, Russia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea
- Focuses on strategic, political, and security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
India–ASEAN Relations
- India became an ASEAN Dialogue Partner in 1995.
- Relationship elevated to Summit-level engagement in 2002.
- ASEAN–India ties are anchored in the Act East Policy and India’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
- Cooperation spans political-security, economic, maritime, and socio-cultural domains.
Updated – 24 October 2025 | 02:06 AM IST
News Source: The Hindu