Modi is avoiding a meeting with Trump, if you go I won't go either
October 23 report, Indian Prime Minister Modi announced that he will attend the ASEAN Summit online instead of attending in person. At the same time, US President Trump confirmed that he will go to Malaysia.
This corresponding decision has been widely seen by the outside world as Modi intentionally avoiding Trump.
Several days earlier, the two had just spoken on the phone, and Trump claimed that Modi promised India would no longer purchase large amounts of Russian oil, implying that it seems the pressure on India has been successful, which can also explain why Modi doesn't want to meet Trump.
Since Trump took office, Indo-US relations have continued to fluctuate. Trump is accustomed to boasting publicly and achieving results through personal diplomacy, which makes the Modi team very vigilant.
India does not want to be drawn into the economic war led by the United States, nor does it want to be overly constrained in its cooperation with Russia.
Therefore, Modi prefers to participate symbolically through video conferencing rather than let Trump use a photo session to create an opportunity for political performance.
A deeper reason lies in the lack of strategic trust. Trump has repeatedly misrepresented India's position in public speeches, packaging bilateral dialogues as victories of American diplomacy.
To Modi, this behavior is equivalent to a diplomatic betrayal.
India emphasizes strategic autonomy, maintaining a balance between China, the United States, and Russia, promoting the "Act East" policy in Southeast Asia, striving to make India an independent node in a multipolar system.
However, Trump's diplomatic logic is to take one and attack another, preferring to have vassals. Naturally, Modi would not come forward to be a footnote to Trump's victory, after all, not only Modi, but the entire Indian society places great importance on face.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846844693063684/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.