Overview

• Reports say the leaders could hold a sideline meeting during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26–27, pending President Trump’s attendance.
• Malaysia has invited President Trump to the summit, but his participation has not been confirmed.
• Any encounter at the summit would mark their first multilateral in-person interaction since the U.S. tariff increase on Indian imports.
• Bilateral strains persist over the tariffs and U.S. criticism of India’s Russian oil purchases, with aide Peter Navarro escalating rhetoric against New Delhi.
• Engagement continues through acknowledged trade talks and recent conciliatory gestures, including Trump resharing Prime Minister Modi’s post supporting his Gaza peace plan.