India, Nov. 2 -- The recent 22nd ASEAN-India Summit was held on October 26, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated virtually in the Summit. While PM Modi has consistently attended ASEAN summits in the past, his decision to skip the in-person meeting this year was seen by some as a calculated move to manage priorities amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and domestic political needs.

India's official explanation why PM Modi did not attend the Summit in person was due to scheduling issues related to the ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India. However, media reports and analysts point to a number of strategic and domestic political factors. One of the most cited reasons was avoiding an awkward encounter w...