External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 27, as India balances high-level engagement in the Indo-Pacific with domestic celebrations of Diwali, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Thursday.
Prime Minister Modi, following a telephonic conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, confirmed that he would not travel to Malaysia for the 47th ASEAN Summit but would participate virtually. The MEA stated, “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.”
Jaishankar’s presence at the East Asia Summit will provide India an opportunity to deliberate on challenges to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, while also exchanging views on broader regional and international developments, the MEA added.
During his conversation with Anwar Ibrahim, Modi conveyed his best wishes for the successful conduct of the upcoming ASEAN-related summits. Taking to X, 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.”
Also read: PM Modi to attend 47th ASEAN Summit virtually, says Anwar
Ibrahim acknowledged Modi’s virtual participation, noting, “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.”
The Kuala Lumpur event is expected to host a host of dignitaries, including US President Donald Trump. While discussions had raised the possibility of a Modi-Trump meeting, the two leaders exchanged Diwali greetings instead, with no official face-to-face scheduled. India is currently negotiating a trade pact with the United States, and Trump had earlier invited Modi to the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt, which India attended via MoS External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh.
The ASEAN Summit remains a strategic platform for India’s engagement in Southeast Asia, reinforcing the country’s Indo-Pacific vision and its broader Act East Policy, which emphasises regional stability, security cooperation, and strengthening economic and diplomatic ties.
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