Congress Criticizes PM Modi’s No-Show as He Joins ASEAN Summit via Video

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opted to join the ASEAN-India Summit in Malaysia virtually from October 26 to 28, 2025, sparking speculation and sharp jabs from the opposition. During a Thursday call with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Modi congratulated Malaysia on its ASEAN Chairmanship and expressed enthusiasm for deepening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. “Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually,” he posted on X, sidestepping an in-person appearance at the high-profile gathering.

Malaysia, as the 2025 ASEAN chair, has rolled out invitations to global heavyweights, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who is slated to visit Kuala Lumpur for a two-day trip starting October 26. The summit, a key platform for ASEAN’s 10 Southeast Asian nations and their dialogue partners, is a cornerstone for India’s growing ties in trade, investment, security, and defense cooperation. Traditionally, India’s prime ministers have attended both the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits in person, making Modi’s virtual participation a notable departure.

The Congress party seized the moment to lob accusations, claiming Modi’s absence is a calculated move to dodge Trump. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to X, taunting, “Posting praise for Trump on social media is easy, but cozying up to a man who’s bragged 53 times about halting Operation Sindoor and five times about India promising to ditch Russian oil? Too risky.” Ramesh didn’t hold back, mocking Modi’s absence as a missed chance to “hug world leaders or flaunt his Vishwaguru swagger.” Quoting a Bollywood classic, he added, “Bachke re rehna re baba, bachke rehna re.”

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Ramesh also pointed to Modi’s no-show at a Gaza peace summit in Egypt, suggesting a pattern of avoiding diplomatically dicey encounters. Government sources, however, brushed off the claims, attributing Modi’s absence to “scheduling issues.” External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to represent India in person, with Modi likely joining the ASEAN-India session via video link.

The virtual move has raised eyebrows, given India’s deepening engagement with ASEAN, a bloc critical to countering China’s regional influence. Modi’s decision could signal caution amid Trump’s unpredictable rhetoric or simply reflect logistical constraints.

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