INDIA’S Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day official visit to Malaysia yesterday at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, signalling a significant step in deepening the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
The visit follows Anwar’s official trip to India in August 2024 and underscores the growing strategic partnership between Kuala Lumpur and New Delhi.
Modi received a formal state welcome at the Perdana Putra complex in Putrajaya, which featured the national anthems of both nations and an inspection of a guard of honour from the First Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment. The ceremony was attended by senior Malaysian officials, including ministers, diplomats, and top government leaders.
Following the ceremonial welcome, Modi signed the visitor book before proceeding to the Seri Perdana Complex for a four-eyed meeting and luncheon with Prime Minister Anwar.
Discussions focused on broadening cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, labour mobility, tourism, connectivity, as well as the agriculture and education sectors.
The leaders witnessed the signing of 11 agreements, comprising Memoranda of Understanding and Exchanges of Notes.
These covered anti-corruption initiatives, standards of seafarer training and certification, disaster management, audiovisual publishing, labour cooperation, semiconductors, health, national security, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Anwar described the outcomes as “very vital, very strategic, and critical” for advancing bilateral ties, which were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024.
A luncheon hosted by Anwar at Seri Perdana highlighted the cultural dimension of the visit.
The menu, described as “Friendship Appetisers,” included traditional Gujarati dishes such as Dhokla and Khandvi alongside Malaysian favourites including Rojak Pasembur and Tauhu Sumbat, celebrating Modi’s heritage from Vadnagar in Gujarat, where he served as Chief Minister from 2001 to 2014.
Modi was accompanied by India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and other senior officials, while Malaysian ministers in attendance included Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, and Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
Economically, India remains Malaysia’s largest trading partner in South Asia. In 2025, total bilateral trade reached approximately US$18.59 billion (RM79.49 billion), with Malaysia exporting US$12.24 billion worth of goods—primarily palm oil and derivatives, as well as electrical and electronic products—and importing US$6.35 billion, largely in agricultural products, petroleum, and chemicals.
The visit emphasises both nations’ commitment to strengthening strategic, economic, and cultural relations. It also seeks to enhance regional connectivity, promote people-to-people exchanges, and pave the way for closer collaboration across multiple sectors in the coming years. - February 8, 2026
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