ASEAN Summit 2025 LIVE Updates: The 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit started on Sunday with Malaysia at the helm. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hosted leaders from ASEAN member states, along with leaders from the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, and other key partners, for the three-day summit under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
PM Modi hailed his ‘friend’ PM Ibrahim
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the summit virtually. He said, “PM and my friend Anwar Ibrahim, you have given me this opportunity to join the Asean family, and I am happy for it. I congratulate you on the successful summit.”
He welcomed the addition of Timor Leste (also known as East Timor) into the group — its first expansion since the 1990s. Modi also noted the influential and significant role played by ASEAN member countries.
“Almost one-fourth of the world’s population is represented by us. We don’t just share geography but also culture and values. We are partners in the Global South. We are not just trade partners but also cultural partners. ASEAN is a main pillar of India’s Act East Policy. India supports ASEAN centrality and its outlook,” he said.
During a call last week, he informed Prime Minister Anwar that he would not attend in person due to Diwali celebrations in India. He also skipped meeting US President Donald Trump, who is attending the summit.
Who all attended the meeting?
US President Donald Trump joined the ASEAN leaders’ dinner and is scheduled to hold a face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday. Xi skipped the ASEAN Summit, with Premier Li Qiang representing China in Kuala Lumpur.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon are also taking part.
From ASEAN, attendees include Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta.
ASEAN members
Timor-Leste was officially inducted as ASEAN’s newest member on October 26, expanding the bloc to 11 countries. These are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and now Timor-Leste.
Thailand-Cambodia Peace Deal LIVE: Follow Live Coverage on Donald Trump ASEAN Summit Visit for Thailand-Cambodia Peace Deal Signing
US trade envoy said that the trade talks between the US and China are “moving forward to the final details”, adding that the leaders will have a very productive meeting in the coming days.
“I think we’re moving forward to the final details of the type of agreement that the leaders can review and decide if they want to conclude together,” US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told reporters.
He further said, “We had quite constructive discussions with our Chinese counterparts. We think we’re getting to a point where we have something we can present to the leaders,” before adding that the negotiators are “getting to the spot where the leaders will have a very productive meeting this coming week.”
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer briefing reporters mid-way through Day 2 of talks:
— Hannah Miao (@hannahmiao_) October 26, 2025
“We think we’re getting to a point where we have something we can present to the leaders for their consideration.” pic.twitter.com/uto4e9y7EI
ASEAN Summit 2025 LIVE Updates: Malaysia witness anti-Trump protests
Protests against US President Donald Trump have been reported in Kuala Lumpur, with some protesters holding signs declaring that he is not welcome in the country.
One placard read, “You are no hero,” while another said, “Trump, you are not welcome in Malaysia.”
ASEAN Summit 2025 LIVE Updates: Canada eyes new markets at ASEAN Summit
“At the ASEAN Summit, to accelerate progress on the Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement and unlock new markets for Canada. Southeast Asia is a $5 trillion economy. New partnerships here represent massive opportunities for our workers and businesses — and we’re here to seize them,” wrote Mark Carney on X.
At the ASEAN Summit to accelerate progress on the Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement and unlock new markets for Canada.
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) October 26, 2025
Southeast Asia is a $5 trillion economy. New partnerships here represent massive opportunities for our workers and businesses — and we’re here to seize them. pic.twitter.com/SqdlcEf6AY
ASEAN Summit 2025 LIVE Updates: PM Anwar Ibrahim welcomes leaders to the Summit
PM Anwar Ibrahim welcomed world leaders to the Summit.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “As the Chair of ASEAN 2025, Malaysia is committed to strengthening regional unity, renewing the spirit of cooperation, broadening focus and friendship, and ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth for the well-being of all of ASEAN.”
Bagi pihak Kerajaan dan seluruh rakyat Malaysia, saya dengan penuh syukur mengalu-alukan kehadiran para pemimpin ASEAN, Tamu Negara Pengerusi ASEAN serta negara-negara sahabat dari seluruh dunia serta para tetamu kehormat ke Kuala Lumpur bersempena Sidang Kemuncak ASEAN ke-47 dan… pic.twitter.com/EEz0gCFXqd
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) October 26, 2025
President Donald Trump has left for his three-nation tour in Asia, with his first stop being Malaysia. He will oversee the signing of an expanded ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, following clashes over the disputed border earlier this year.
Trump will then visit Japan and South Korea and have a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“The first message is Trump the peacemaker. The second is Trump the moneymaker,” Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies told NBC News as saying.
He added, “And then, of course, with the meeting with China, I think what everybody’s expecting is that there’s probably not going to be a big trade deal, but there will be an effort to de-escalate or put a pause on the situation.”
Timor Leste’s Prime Minister said that it was a “dream realised” for his nation to be inducted into ASEAN as a member and an opportunity as it seeks to boost its struggling economy.
“Today, history is made,” PM Xanana Gusmao expressed.
He added, “For the people of Timor-Leste, this is not only a dream realised, but a powerful affirmation of our journey.”
It was ASEAN’s first expansion since the 1990s and was more than a decade in the making.
ASEAN Summit 2025 LIVE Updates: Trump leaves for Kuala Lumpur Convention Center
Trump has left for the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center for a ceremony where leaders will sign a peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand.
ASEAN Summit 2025 LIVE Updates: Xi, Trump to meet in South Korea
As China’s President Xi Jinping has skipped the ASEAN Summit, the US President Donald Trump would meet him in person in South Korea on Thursday.
ASEAN Summit 2025 LIVE Updates: Prez Trump, PM Ibrahim dance together
“TRUMP DANCE — MALAYSIA EDITION!” wrote Rapid Response 47, the official White House Rapid Response account, while sharing the video on X (formerly Twitter).
TRUMP DANCE — MALAYSIA EDITION! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/HLyCVaCndh
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 26, 2025
ASEAN Summit 2025 LIVE Updates: Trump arrives in Malaysia
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Malaysia and was greeted by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang.
ASEAN Summit Live 2025: Timor-Leste inducted as newest member
Timor-Leste was officially inducted as ASEAN’s newest member on October 26, expanding the bloc to 11 countries.
Welcome to our ASEAN Summit Live Blog. Follow this space for real-time updates from Kuala Lumpur.