Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit virtually, rather than attending in person. This was confirmed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who stated that PM Modi wouldn't be able to travel to Kuala Lumpur due to the ongoing Diwali celebrations in India. In a social media post, Prime Minister Ibrahim expressed his respect for PM Modi's decision and extended his best wishes for Diwali to him and all the people of India.
PM Modi's Statement
Earlier, PM Modi also conveyed his virtual attendance via a post on 'X' (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. He mentioned a warm conversation with his dear friend, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, congratulating him on Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship and wishing success for the upcoming summits. PM Modi added that he looked forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between ASEAN and India.
Summit Dates and Other Attendees
The meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are scheduled to take place from October 26 to 28. Malaysia has extended invitations to leaders from several dialogue partner countries of the ASEAN group, including US President Donald Trump. Trump is expected to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on October 26 for a two-day visit, while the 10 member states of ASEAN include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
India-ASEAN Relations
Bilateral relations between India and ASEAN have witnessed significant growth over the past few years, with a strong focus on enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, as well as in security and defense sectors. This deepening engagement is crucial for fostering regional stability and prosperity.
