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Modi to Attend ASEAN Summit Virtually as Trade Deal Review Shows Progress

New Delhi is turning to ASEAN to diversify export markets under U.S. tariff pressure.

Overview

  • External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will lead India’s delegation in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi joins the ASEAN–India Summit online.
  • A planned in-person meeting between Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump in Kuala Lumpur will not take place.
  • Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal reported recent positive movement on market-access issues in the review of the 2009 ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement launched in 2023.
  • Negotiators are working through differences on the pace of tariff liberalization and phased implementation, with the next round of talks likely in November.
  • Timor Leste is expected to be formally inducted as ASEAN’s 11th member during the Kuala Lumpur meetings.