Diplomatic Dilemma: Modi Opts for ASEAN Virtual Attendance Over Physical Appearance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be traveling to Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit, opting instead for virtual participation. The decision has fueled speculation that it stems from a desire to avoid potential diplomatic friction with US President Donald Trump, according to Congress statements.

Jairam Ramesh of the Congress accused the Prime Minister of avoiding physical encounters with Trump, who has made contentious claims about India's international commitments. Trump's assertions that India is reducing oil imports from Russia and his role as a mediator in Indo-Pak conflicts have been focal points of this diplomatic narrative.

The ASEAN-India dialogue, initiated as a sectoral partnership in 1992, has grown to a strategic partnership. Lasting cooperation, particularly in trade and security, underscores deepening ties between India and the ASEAN nations despite the current diplomatic drama surrounding Modi and Trump's dynamics.