Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump may meet on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26-27, officials from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday.
The potential meeting comes amid tensions over U.S. tariffs on Indian goods, which Trump raised to 50% in August 2025 to address a trade deficit and India's purchases of Russian oil, according to White House officials. Bilateral trade reached $71.4 billion in 2024, per Malaysian Investment Development Authority data.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed Trump's attendance after a personal call from the U.S. president, Anwar's office said in a statement. Modi's participation aligns with his attendance at previous ASEAN summits, the Indian officials said.
Discussions may cover trade tariffs, H-1B visas and strategic ties, the officials said. Trump imposed the tariffs after India and the U.S. failed to reach a trade deal by an August 1 deadline, a U.S. Trade Representative statement said.
Anwar said in a July 31 statement, "President Trump has confirmed his attendance at the 47th ASEAN Summit." The summit will address regional issues including Myanmar's conflict and maritime disputes.
The leaders last met in person at the White House on February 13, 2025. A phone call between them occurred in June 2025, the White House said.
Indian officials said the meeting could be the only face-to-face opportunity for the leaders in 2025, given scheduling conflicts for other events. Officials from the White House and Indian Ministry of External Affairs were not immediately available for further comment.