When Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to skip the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia and instead address it virtually, the usual critics rushed to brand it as “diplomatic disengagement." But beneath the surface lies a deliberate strategy, a mix of domestic political prudence and foreign policy foresight.

PM Modi’s choice at this important moment shows that he is not running away from the situation but making a strong point: India’s democratic needs and national interests should not be controlled by outside appearances or temporary expectations from the West.

Avoiding The Trump Show: A Tactical Move

At first glance, Modi’s absence was interpreted as a signal of cooling ties with Washington. But that is a misreading. The Prime Minister’s choice to let External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar rep

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