ASEAN summit to kick off in Malaysia on October 26

The stage is set in Kuala Lumpur as Malaysia, the current chair of ASEAN, is hosting the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings from October 26 to 28 under the theme, ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’.

Leaders from across the globe will converge at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre to deliberate on pressing regional and global challenges, economic integration and strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

PM Narendra Modi will not travel to Kuala Lumpur and will instead join the proceedings virtually. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would represent India at the summit in person, officials said. With Modi opting for a virtual presence, prospects of a possible bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines now stand ruled out. EAM Jaishankar is expected to review the progress of ASEAN-India relations and outline fresh initiatives to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership.

India’s ties with ASEAN remain a central pillar of its Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision.

The meeting is followed by two days of high-level engagements with key partners, including China, Japan, Australia, Russia, South Korea and the US.

The summit will also witness the signing of the declaration on the admission of Timor-Leste (East Timor) as the 11th member of ASEAN — marking its formal entry into the regional bloc after years of engagement as an observer state.

The event will see deliberations across key pillars — political-security, economic and socio-cultural — reflecting the group’s vision of a “One Community” that is resilient, inclusive and people-centered.