Overview

• Malaysia has invited President Donald Trump to the Oct. 26–28 ASEAN gathering in Kuala Lumpur, but his attendance remains unconfirmed, according to reports.
• Indian officials say New Delhi has not finalized the level of its participation, though preparations for a possible visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi are underway.
• If talks occur, it would be the leaders’ first face-to-face since the U.S. raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, including a 25% levy linked to India’s purchases of Russian energy.
• Ties have been strained by the tariff hike, the end of a Chabahar sanctions waiver, sharply higher H‑1B fees, and visa actions against some Indian executives, alongside U.S. criticism of India’s Russian oil imports.
• Signs of limited thaw include a recent Modi–Trump phone call, resumed trade negotiations acknowledged by both sides, and public gestures such as Modi endorsing Trump’s Gaza peace plan, which Trump reshared.