New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government are facing a growing crisis of confidence on global forums, as Modi has decided not to attend the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia in person.
According to reports, Modi will participate virtually in the ASEAN leaders’ summit — a move that effectively ends chances of his meeting U.S. President Donald Trump during the event.
While Modi’s office has cited Diwali holidays as the reason for his absence, international observers say the real cause lies in mounting diplomatic pressure, trade disputes, and strained U.S.-India relations.
Sources from international media, including Reuters, note that relations between India and the U.S. have soured due to India’s oil imports from Russia and increased American tariffs on Indian goods.
Analysts argue that Modi’s repeated absence from major global stages reflects India’s growing diplomatic isolation since its *humiliating defeat in recent international arbitration cases.
They say the self-proclaimed leader of the “world’s largest democracy” is now *forced to hide behind virtual appearances to avoid tough global scrutiny.
