Modi may miss the ASEAN summit, missing the chance to meet with Trump.

``` Indian Prime Minister Modi will be absent from the ASEAN summit held in Kuala Lumpur, meaning he will miss a potential opportunity to meet with U.S. President Trump. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed this news on Thursday via social media. He said that Modi called to inform him that, as India would still be celebrating Diwali at that time, he would participate in the ASEAN summit virtually. He announced that he would participate online because India would still be celebrating Diwali. I respect this decision and extend my Diwali greetings to him and all the people of India. Modi’s decision not to attend the meeting in person means he loses a crucial platform for direct dialogue with Trump in a multilateral setting. It is reported that Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar may attend the summit on Modi’s behalf. Trade Direction Remains Unclear Behind Modi’s absence lie unresolved trade disputes between the U.S. and India. Previously, according to Xinhua News Agency, U.S. President Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian products exported to the U.S., citing India’s “direct or indirect importation of Russian oil.” This means the total U.S. tariff rate on India will reach 50%. Tensions saw new developments this week. Reports said Trump stated on Tuesday that he had spoken with Modi and received assurances from the Indian side that purchases of Russian energy would be reduced. However, so far, New Delhi has not confirmed it will comply with Trump’s request. This summit could have provided a venue for the two leaders to manage differences and seek consensus. Meanwhile, this week, Indian media reported that India and the U.S. are close to reaching a trade agreement, with tariffs possibly lowering from 50% to 15%. This positive signal stands in stark contrast to Modi’s diplomatic arrangement this time, highlighting the complexity of relations between two major economies and raising further questions about the eventual outcome of trade negotiations. Risk Disclaimer The market has risks and investments need caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice, nor does it take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situation, or needs of individual users. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article fit their own circumstances. Investing based on this article is at your own risk. ```