Modi skips Malaysia visit to avoid Trump

NEW DELHI: It seems May 10 will continue haunting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Reuters says he will participate virtually in the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, ruling out a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump.

The new agency also pointed out to the possibility that the move indicates “New Delhi and Washington may not be close to sealing a trade deal”.

Previously, Modi had declined an invitation to visit the White House after attending the G7 summit in Canada, which coincided with Field Marshal Asim Munir‘s meeting with the US president.

And the reason cited by Modi for not visiting Malaysia is Diwali.

“Look forward to joining the ASEAN – India Summit virtually, and to further deepening of the ASEAN – India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Modi said on X while referring to a conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar also said he had been informed Modi would attend the gathering virtually “due to the ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India at that time”, referring to the Hindu festival of lights celebrated this week.

The meeting of the leaders of the Southeast Asian grouping will take place in the Malaysian capital from October 26 to October 28. It will be attended by all 10 members of the bloc and key trading partners such as China, Japan and the US.

Malaysia’s foreign minister said last week that Trump would visit the country on October 26, fuelling speculation in India about a possible meeting with Modi, who was previously expected to attend the summit in person.

There has been no official confirmation on the trip from Washington.

RAFALE DOWN, TRUMP TARIFFS UP

The US and India have been negotiating for months to thrash out a trade deal, but talks have been complicated by the South Asian nation’s Russian oil imports, which prompted Washington to impose a punitive 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods in August, raising total levies to 50 per cent.

Meanwhile, the US president never misses an opportunity to mention that he forced Pakistan and India for ceasefire using the threat of trade and that seven of of the Indian jets were downed.

However, Modi is still reluctant to accept Trump’s version as the US president is developing a close relationship with Pakistan.

Trump and Modi spoke on Tuesday, both leaders said, with Trump adding that their conversation focused largely on trade.

Modi did not elaborate on the content of their conversation, but Trump said he urged the Indian prime minister to avoid military conflict with Pakistan, reiterating his role in easing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors through diplomacy and economic leverage.

On Wednesday, India’s Mint media outlet reported the countries were close to a deal that would cut tariffs on Indian imports to 15 per cent to 16 per cent, though progress hinged on energy and agriculture.

It’s a developing story. Details to follow.