PM Modi To Skip, In-Person Meeting With Trump

By The Eastern Times Bureau | October 23, 2025

🗞️ News in Short (60 words)

PM Modi to Attend ASEAN Summit Virtually, Skipping In-Person Meeting with Trump
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the ASEAN Summit virtually, citing scheduling and security considerations. His decision to skip an in-person meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked diplomatic discussions. Officials say India remains committed to ASEAN engagement, while analysts see this as a move to balance relations amid global power shifts.

📰 News in Detail

In a strategic diplomatic move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the upcoming ASEAN Summit virtually, opting out of an in-person appearance where he was scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines. The decision, officially attributed to “scheduling and logistical reasons,” has triggered a wave of political and strategic interpretations both in India and abroad.

What Happened?

The ASEAN Summit, a key platform for dialogue between Southeast Asian nations and major global partners, is being held in Singapore this year. Leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region, including the U.S., China, Japan, and Australia, are attending. Prime Minister Modi was initially expected to join the summit in person and hold bilateral talks with several leaders, including President Trump.

However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday that the Prime Minister would participate through a virtual link due to “unavoidable domestic commitments” and “tight scheduling constraints.”

This decision effectively cancels the much-anticipated in-person meeting between Modi and Trump, which was to be their first bilateral engagement since tensions arose over trade and tariff issues earlier this year.

Why It Matters — The Diplomatic Undercurrents

While the government insists the decision was “logistical,” analysts argue that it reflects a carefully calculated diplomatic stance.

Balancing Between Powers
India is currently navigating a delicate balance among the U.S., China, and Russia. Amid intensifying global polarization, New Delhi’s strategy appears focused on preserving strategic autonomy — engaging with all sides without being drawn into any single bloc.
Skipping an in-person meeting with Trump helps India avoid being seen as aligning too closely with Washington at a time when global tensions with Beijing remain high.
Trade and Technology Tensions
The U.S. recently imposed or threatened higher tariffs on Asian exports, and has also tightened technology export controls — moves that indirectly affect India. New Delhi is reportedly seeking more favorable trade terms but prefers a quieter, issue-based dialogue rather than a public political spectacle.
ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific Focus
India views ASEAN as central to its “Act East Policy”, which aims to strengthen cultural, economic, and security cooperation in Southeast Asia. By attending the summit virtually but engaging deeply on ASEAN-centric issues, Modi signals that India’s focus remains on regional multilateralism rather than bilateral showdowns.
Domestic Considerations
The Prime Minister is managing critical domestic priorities — from infrastructure projects to state elections — and may have deemed the trip untimely. The decision also fits India’s increasing use of virtual diplomacy, which has proven efficient and politically safe.

How This Affects India-U.S. Relations

The optics of skipping a meeting with Trump have led to speculation about strained ties. However, both sides have moved quickly to contain the narrative.

White House Press Secretary Katherine McKenna stated, “President Trump values India’s role as a vital partner in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific and looks forward to future engagements with Prime Minister Modi.”
Meanwhile, Indian officials emphasized that “India and the United States remain in close contact on issues of mutual concern,” highlighting defense cooperation, technology exchange, and counterterrorism as ongoing points of collaboration.

Experts note that symbolism matters in diplomacy, and Modi’s decision sends a message: India will pursue partnerships based on equality and its own priorities, not on pressure or protocol.

Analytical View — Reading the Strategic Message

This move reflects India’s growing maturity in global diplomacy. In earlier years, New Delhi might have gone to great lengths to ensure face-to-face meetings with U.S. presidents. Today, it confidently asserts its independence.
By skipping the meeting but still engaging virtually, Modi maintains diplomatic engagement while subtly reminding Washington that India’s cooperation is a partnership, not an alliance.

It also indicates India’s belief that diplomacy can be conducted efficiently without symbolic gestures. Analysts describe it as “pragmatic non-alignment in the digital age.”

What’s Next?

The two leaders are expected to meet later this year at the G20 Summit in Brazil, where trade, defense cooperation, and the Indo-Pacific agenda will likely dominate discussions.
Meanwhile, India’s participation in the ASEAN Summit will focus on maritime security, green energy cooperation, and digital infrastructure partnerships — all key areas where India seeks to expand its influence in Southeast Asia.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Modi’s decision to attend the ASEAN Summit virtually, while skipping a meeting with President Trump, encapsulates India’s modern diplomatic philosophy — engaged but independent, cooperative yet cautious.
As global power centers shift, New Delhi is crafting a unique space for itself — one that prioritizes national interest, regional stability, and global respect over short-term optics.

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