Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipped a regional leaders’ summit in Malaysia this week to avoid a possible face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump — and an uncomfortable discussion about Pakistan, Bloomberg reported. Modi, who was initially expected to attend in person, switched to virtual participation at the last minute.
Officials told Bloomberg that Modi’s team feared Trump might again claim credit for mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan — a claim New Delhi has consistently rejected. With key state elections in Bihar around the corner, Modi reportedly didn’t want to risk a diplomatic embarrassment that could affect his political campaign.
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Trump has repeatedly boasted about his “peace efforts” between India and Pakistan, even linking trade negotiations to regional stability. Meanwhile, ties between the two countries have strained over tariffs and India’s Russian oil imports. Modi’s decision to skip the summit marks a rare absence, highlighting his government’s caution in dealing with Trump’s unpredictable remarks.
