Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 47th ASEAN Summit virtually, foregoing an in-person visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where the summit is being held from October 26-28, 2025. The decision has sparked political debate, with the Congress party suggesting the move is an attempt to avoid a potential encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Modi conveyed his decision to his Malaysian counterpart, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during a phone conversation. Modi cited the ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India as the reason for his virtual participation. Ibrahim acknowledged Modi's decision, extending Deepavali greetings to him and the people of India. Modi also congratulated Ibrahim on Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship and expressed his anticipation for a deeper ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) later stated that Foreign Minister S Jaishankar would represent India at the East Asia Summit on October 27.
The Congress party has criticized Modi's decision, alleging that he is avoiding the summit to prevent being "cornered by Trump". Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh suggested that while Modi frequently praises Trump on social media, "hobnobbing in person with a man who has claimed 53 times that he stopped Operation Sindoor and has claimed five times that India has promised to stop buying oil from Russia is 'far too risky' for the PM". Ramesh also questioned if this was the reason Modi did not attend the Gaza peace summit in Egypt a few weeks prior, which was also led by Trump.
Government sources have refuted these claims, attributing the virtual participation to scheduling constraints.
The ASEAN Summit will bring together leaders from the ten ASEAN member states, along with key dialogue partners and global leaders. The summit will address regional peace, stability, security, and inclusive sustainable development. Chinese Premier Li Qiang, along with leaders and representatives from the US, Japan, Europe, the Middle East, Russia, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand, are expected to attend the summit. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Myanmar's acting President Senior General Min Aung Hlaing will not be attending.
Several milestone events are scheduled to occur on the sidelines of the summit, including the signing of the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN. Additionally, there will be a signing ceremony for Finland's Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), a signing ceremony for the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), the 5th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders' Summit, and the ASEAN Prize Presentation Ceremony.
The ASEAN Summit's theme for 2025 is "Inclusivity and Sustainability". The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, will lead the ASEAN Secretariat Delegation to the summit. Prior to the summit, Dr. Kao will participate in a series of ministerial meetings, including the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), the 30th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, the 37th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, and the ASEAN Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers' Meeting.
The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) will implement periodic road closures in Kuala Lumpur between 8 am and 7 pm on all three days of the summit to facilitate the leaders' motorcades. Closures will last for approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
