Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Wednesday that he will participate in the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur virtually. His decision effectively rules out any possibility of a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the event.
“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 the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Modi posted on X.
Taking a dig at the Prime Minister’s decision, the Congress claimed the reason was “simple.” “He just doesn’t want to be cornered by President Trump, who will also be there. He refused an invitation to attend the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt a few weeks back for precisely this reason,” the party said.
In a post on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote, “For days the speculation has been — will he or won’t he? Will Mr. Modi go to Kuala Lumpur for the Summit or not? Now it appears certain that the PM will not go. It means the loss of many opportunities to hug and get photo ops with world leaders, or to flaunt himself as the self-styled Vishwaguru.”
Ramesh further remarked, “Posting messages in praise of President Trump on social media is one thing, but to be seen physically hobnobbing with the man who has claimed 53 times that he stopped Operation Sindoor, and five times that India has promised to stop buying oil from Russia, is another matter. It’s far too risky for him. The PM may well be recalling that old Bollywood hit: ‘Bachke rehna re baba, bachke rehna re.’”
