India-US Trade Snags Halt Modi’s ASEAN Summit Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned attendance at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur has been cancelled. This decision stems from a dual focus on domestic political imperatives, including the imminent Bihar state elections, and the unresolved trade disputes with the United States. Sources confirm that the Prime Minister will instead prioritize domestic engagements and the upcoming Chhath Puja festival. Although details are still emerging, PM Modi is expected to join the India-ASEAN Summit virtually on October 26. India’s representation at the East Asia Summit (October 27-28) will be led by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The potential for a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump at the summit has been scuttled by the stalemate in trade talks. Recent interactions, such as Commerce Secretary Agrawal’s US visit and a phone conversation between Modi and Trump, have not yielded substantial progress towards a trade agreement. US President Trump is slated to visit Malaysia on October 26, en route to Japan.