PM Modi could visit Malaysia for ASEAN & East Asia Summits

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Malaysia later this week for the India-ASEAN and East Asia summits and could hold a meeting with US President Donald Trump on the occasion to give a political push to the trade deal negotiations.

If Modi decides to attend the summits, the highlight of the trip could be his meeting with Trump amid the tariff war and growing security and trade partnership between the US and Pakistan. The Pakistani Field Marshal's visits to the White House have raised the possibility of US-Pak ties akin to the Cold War era.


The PM's visit is still in the works, a highly placed source told ET. If the two leaders meet, it could give a political push to negotiations for the trade deal. The two last met when Modi had travelled to Washington for a bilateral summit in February and a roadmap for expanding partnership was announced. But ties soon touched a low over Trump's repeated claims that he stopped the war between India and Pakistan and imposed tariffs, including a 25% tariff for Russian oil.

Off late, ties have shown signs of improvement with two phone calls between Modi and Trump. The PM also endorsed Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Gaza peace plan. Over the last week though, Trump's comments that Modi told him that India will stop buying Russian oil has caused discomfort here. Russia has maintained that India is continuing to purchase oil.

On the sidelines of the summits, Modi could also meet presidents of Brazil, South Africa and leaders from Japan and Australia. The Brazilian president has announced that Brasilia will form a strategic alliance with New Delhi as part of the Global South partnership.