India–Malaysia Ties Set for Major Expansion Following Prime Minister Modi’s Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses for a group photograph with CEOs from India and Malaysia at Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India is keen to elevate its partnership with Malaysia to new heights, expanding and deepening cooperation across all sectors, amid a global environment marked by economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
Speaking during delegation-level talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Modi thanked the Malaysian leadership for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation, describing the visit as a powerful reflection of the deep friendship between the two countries.
Noting that this was his third visit to Malaysia and his fourth meeting with Anwar Ibrahim during the latter’s tenure, Modi said the frequency of high-level engagements reflected the pace and dynamism of bilateral relations. He highlighted expanding cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, clean energy, semiconductors, skill development, defence, and security.
Congratulating Malaysia on its successful chairmanship of ASEAN, Modi expressed confidence that India’s engagement with the regional grouping would further deepen with Malaysia’s support. He also underscored the role of nearly three million people of Indian origin in Malaysia as a living bridge between the two nations and stressed the importance of cooperation among friendly countries in the fight against terrorism.
Key Outcomes of the Visit
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the visit resulted in a series of significant agreements and announcements aimed at strengthening institutional, economic, and people-centric ties between India and Malaysia Malaysia-modi. These include:
- Signing of multiple MoUs and agreements, including:
- Audio-visual co-production between India and Malaysia
- Cooperation in disaster management
- Collaboration in combating and preventing corruption
- Cooperation in the semiconductor sector
- Extension of cooperation on United Nations peacekeeping
- Framework agreement on the International Big Cats Alliance
- Agreements and exchanges in social and human development, including:
- Cooperation between ESIC (India) and PERKESO (Malaysia) on social security for Indian citizens in Malaysia
- Cooperation in vocational education and training (TVET)
- Cooperation in health and medicine
- Security and strategic cooperation, including an exchange of notes on security collaboration between the National Security Councils of both countries.
- Economic and institutional initiatives, such as:
- Presentation of the report of the 10th Malaysia–India CEO Forum
- Agreement between NIPL and PAYNET SDN BHD on cross-border payments
- Key announcements, including:
- Establishment of an Indian Consulate General in Malaysia
- Setting up of a dedicated Thiruvalluvar Centre at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
- Institution of Thiruvalluvar Scholarships for Malaysian nationals
- Academic collaboration between the University of Cyberjaya and the Institute of Training and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA)
Prime Minister Modi concluded by stating that the prosperity of India and Malaysia is closely interconnected. As maritime neighbours, he said, both countries must fully harness the potential of their relationship, reaffirming India’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Malaysia across every sphere.
