US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to meet on October 26, on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, amid growing trade tensions and geopolitical friction.
While President Trump has confirmed his participation in the summit — one of his few scheduled multilateral appearances this year — Prime Minister Modi’s attendance has yet to be formally announced.
However, diplomatic sources say that groundwork for a potential meeting and discussion between the two leaders is underway.
This year’s ASEAN Summit, to be held in Kuala Lumpur from October 26-28, may present the only opportunity for a face-to-face meeting between Trump and Modi before the year ends. Trump is not expected to travel to the G20 Summit in South Africa in November, and while the Quad platform remains a possibility, no firm plans have emerged.
Leaders of the 10-member ASEAN bloc will convene to address pressing regional issues, including economic integration, South China Sea tensions and sustainable development. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, speaking in the Malaysian parliament, confirmed Trump’s attendance, stating that the US President personally conveyed his intent during a recent call.
The expected meeting comes at a delicate time for US-India relations, which have been tested by tariff disputes and foreign policy divergences. President Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs — reportedly up to 50 per cent on select Indian exports — has drawn strong criticism in India.
In parallel, Trump has repeatedly condemned India’s continued oil imports from Russia, despite global sanctions linked to the Ukraine war.
Tensions flared further when Trump posted a provocative message on his social media platform, Truth Social, sharing an image of Modi alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin.
“Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!” Trump wrote.
The post triggered unease in both Washington and New Delhi, with analysts interpreting it as a signal of Washington’s growing discomfort with India’s efforts to maintain a non-aligned stance between rival global blocs.
Following international backlash, Trump sought to soften his tone at a White House press briefing.
“I will always be friends with Modi… he is a great Prime Minister,” he said. “India and the United States have a special relationship. There is nothing to worry about.”
India, while measured, has reaffirmed its strategic autonomy. Speaking at a weekly press briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal emphasised the importance of the U.S.-India relationship, while underscoring that India’s national interest will always take precedence.
The summit, hosted by Malaysia, is expected to be one of the largest ASEAN gatherings in recent years, tackling regional crises such as Myanmar’s internal conflict, rising maritime disputes, and the economic fallout from US tariff hikes. Amid these challenges, the Trump-Modi bilateral could emerge as one of the most closely watched developments on the sidelines.
