New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not travel to Malaysia later this week for the India-ASEAN and East Asia summits, but will participate in the ASEAN leg of the summit virtually, ending the possibility of a meeting with US President Donald Trump amid last mile run in trade deal negotiations turning out to be difficult.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the 20th East Asia summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 27. The summit will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and also exchange views on regional and international developments, according to the MEA.
India and the US had intensified negotiations in anticipation of the announcement of a trade deal framework after the possible Modi-Trump meeting on the sidelines of the summits in Malaysia. While intense negotiations were held, what emerged was a tough political call. The proposed deal could lower US tariffs on Indian exports to 15% from the current 50%, ET had reported on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Trump and Modi held a telephone conversation and the US President referred to the India-Pakistan war and Russian oil imports to the discomfort of the Indian side. Modi's X post following the phone call with Trump was measured, with no mention of a trade deal or Russian energy imports. Rather, he focused on action against terrorism.
Modi conveyed his decision to join the summit virtually during his Wednesday night phone call with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who is also the host of the summits. During the interaction, Modi extended heartfelt congratulations to PM Ibrahim on Malaysia's assumption of the ASEAN chairmanship. Modi also expressed his interest in joining the ASEAN-India summit virtually and reaffirmed India's commitment to further strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The external affairs ministry, in a separate statement, informed that Modi and the ASEAN leaders will jointly review the progress in ASEAN-India relations and discuss initiatives for strengthening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the 20th East Asia summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 27. The summit will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and also exchange views on regional and international developments, according to the MEA.
India and the US had intensified negotiations in anticipation of the announcement of a trade deal framework after the possible Modi-Trump meeting on the sidelines of the summits in Malaysia. While intense negotiations were held, what emerged was a tough political call. The proposed deal could lower US tariffs on Indian exports to 15% from the current 50%, ET had reported on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Trump and Modi held a telephone conversation and the US President referred to the India-Pakistan war and Russian oil imports to the discomfort of the Indian side. Modi's X post following the phone call with Trump was measured, with no mention of a trade deal or Russian energy imports. Rather, he focused on action against terrorism.
Modi conveyed his decision to join the summit virtually during his Wednesday night phone call with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who is also the host of the summits. During the interaction, Modi extended heartfelt congratulations to PM Ibrahim on Malaysia's assumption of the ASEAN chairmanship. Modi also expressed his interest in joining the ASEAN-India summit virtually and reaffirmed India's commitment to further strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The external affairs ministry, in a separate statement, informed that Modi and the ASEAN leaders will jointly review the progress in ASEAN-India relations and discuss initiatives for strengthening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
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