‘Seen hobnobbing’ with Trump ‘too risky’ for Modi: Indian opposition leader

ISLAMABAD: An Indian lawmaker belonging to the opposition Congress party, while flaying Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his decision to skip the Kuala Lumpur summit, claimed it was due to his reluctance to be "cornered" by US President Donald Trump, and sarcastically suggested that Modi was missing opportunities for global photo ops and self-promotion.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, but will miss the East Asia Summit. The 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur is scheduled to take place from October 26 to 28.

To join virtually 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X on Thursday, stated: “Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and conveyed best wishes for the success of upcoming Summits."

"Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, and to further deepening of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

‘Photo ops’ and hugs  

Jairam Ramesh, the Indian National Congress lawmaker in a post on X, said: “For days the speculation has been - will He or won't He? Will Mr. Modi go to Kuala Lumpur for the Summit or not? Now it appears certain that the PM will not go.”

“It means the loss of so many opportunities to hug and get photo ops with world leaders or to flaunt himself as the self-styled Vishwaguru,” Ramesh added sarcastically.

‘Doesn’t want to be cornered’ 

Commenting about what he sees as the reason for Modi not travelling to Kuala Lumpur, Ramesh said: “The reason why Mr Modi is not going is simple. He just doesn't want to be cornered by President Trump, who will also be there.”

“He refused an invitation to attend the Gaza peace summit in Egypt a few weeks back, precisely for this reason,” he added.

‘Far too risky’ 

“Posting messages in praise of President Trump on social media is one thing. But to be seen hobnobbing physically with the man who has claimed 53 times that he stopped Op Sindoor and has claimed 5 times that India has promised to stop buying oil from Russia is another matter.”

“It’s far too risky for him,” he said.

Modi’s decision to stay away from the summit is unusual, according to an Indian media report. 

Since taking office in 2014, he has attended every East Asia Summit until 2019. The 2020 and 2021 editions were held virtually due to the pandemic. 

In 2022, then-Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar represented India in Cambodia, the only time Modi did not attend. 

He resumed participation in 2023 in Thailand and travelled to the 2024 summit in Laos, the report states.