India, Malaysia ink 6 key pacts, PM Modi talks up shared love for Tamil culture
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose Malaysia for his first foreign visit of 2026, strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Malaysia. The visit marked significant progress in economic, strategic, and people-to-people ties with multiple agreements exchanged.
Fulfilling a promise made last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday oversaw the signing of six key agreements between India and Malaysia and spoke of the “shared love for the Tamil language” that binds the two countries, as both sides pushed to deepen cultural, economic and strategic ties in Kuala Lumpur.
At a joint press statement with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, PM Modi said the strong presence of Tamil in Malaysia’s education, media and cultural life reflected the deep-rooted people-to-people connection between the two nations.
“Shared love for Tamil language also connects India and Malaysia. In Malaysia, the strong and living presence of Tamil can be seen in education, media and cultural life. I am confident that with today’s Audio Visual Agreement, film and music, especially Tamil films, will bring our hearts closer,” he said.
He also said he had been keen to visit the country at the earliest opportunity.
“Last year, I could not come to Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit, but I had promised my dear friend that I would visit Malaysia at the earliest. For my foreign visit of 2026, I have come to Malaysia,” PM Modi said.
The two leaders concluded wide-ranging talks during Pm Modi’s two-day official visit, marking a significant step in strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
FOCUS ON SECURITY, DEFENCE AND INTELLIGENCE SHARING
Addressing the media after delegation-level talks, PM Modi announced enhanced cooperation in key security sectors.
“In the security sector, we will strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and maritime security. We will also make defence cooperation more comprehensive,” he said.
He added that both sides would deepen collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, semiconductors, healthcare and food security.
“Along with AI and digital technologies, we will further advance our partnership in semiconductor, health and food security,” Modi said.
Referring to economic engagement, he said, “The CEO forum organised today has thrown open new opportunities for trade and investment. We will pave a path to economic transformation through strategic trust.”
TRADE, CURRENCY AND EDUCATION IN FOCUS: ANWAR
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised India’s economic rise and underlined the importance of expanding cooperation beyond existing trade levels.
“India is growing by leaps and bounds, which is one spectacular rise in the international economic trade scene,” Anwar said.
He said Malaysia stood to benefit from closer engagement with India in the ASEAN context.
“We certainly benefit immensely if we could secure more ways and opportunities to collaborate with India, extending beyond the $18.59 billion that we achieved in 2025,” he said.
Anwar also welcomed the decision to use local currencies as far as possible in bilateral transactions, calling it a “remarkable feat”.
Highlighting education ties, he said many Malaysians had studied in India, while Indian students were increasingly choosing Malaysia.
“Under the premiership of my good friend Prime Minister Modi, you have seen spectacular recognition of Indian centres of excellence in education,” Anwar said.
“We would certainly explore increasing the number of students in various disciplines to study in India,” he added.
SIX MOUS, FOUR KEY DOCUMENTS EXCHANGED
Following the talks, the two sides exchanged six memoranda of understanding, covering a wide range of sectors.
These included agreements on:
- Audio-visual co-production
- Disaster management cooperation
- Combating corruption
- United Nations peacekeeping
- Semiconductor cooperation
In addition, four important documents and reports were submitted, including:
- A memorandum on social security for Indian citizens in Malaysia
- Cooperation on vocational training and education
- Exchange of notes on security cooperation
- Exchange of notes on healthcare cooperation
Officials said the agreements aim to expand collaboration in emerging technologies, governance, public welfare and regional security.
CEREMONIAL WELCOME AND DELEGATION-LEVEL TALKS
PM Modi and PM Anwar Ibrahim earlier held a private meeting and later led delegation-level talks at the Perdana Putra building on Sunday.
The meeting followed a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour accorded to Modi at the same venue.
The reception took place after Modi arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, when Anwar personally welcomed him at the airport.
Malaysian Human Resources Minister Ramanan Ramakrishnan and Deputy Foreign Minister Lukanisman bin Awang Sauni were present.
The arrival ceremony featured a red-carpet welcome and traditional music and dance performances reflecting the shared cultural heritage of the two countries.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES
After the formal engagements, both leaders travelled together in the same vehicle to attend an Indian community event in Kuala Lumpur.
Sharing a message on X, Modi wrote, “Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by my friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the airport. I look forward to our conversations and to further strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Malaysia.”
Later, he posted, “Celebrating the India-Malaysia people-to-people connect! PM Anwar Ibrahim and I are heading to the community programme in Kuala Lumpur.”
VISIT BUILDS ON STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Before departing for Malaysia, Modi had described the visit as an opportunity to deepen cooperation in key areas.
“The historic ties between India and Malaysia have seen steadfast progress in recent years,” he had said.
“We will aim to deepen our defence and security ties, enhance our economic and innovation partnership, and expand our collaboration into new domains,” he added.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the visit carried a “rich agenda” and would give “a major boost to the special partnership between India and Malaysia”.
‘SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP’ REAFFIRMED
PM Modi said India and Malaysia shared a “special relationship” rooted in history, culture and people-to-people ties.
He said the partnership would now move forward with greater focus on defence, innovation and economic cooperation.
Before the visit, Modi had said the talks would aim to deepen defence and security ties and enhance economic and innovation partnerships.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the visit carried a “rich agenda” and would give “significant momentum” to bilateral relations.
THIRD VISIT SINCE TIES UPGRADED
This is Modi’s third visit to Malaysia and his first since the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in August 2024.
India and Malaysia share long-standing ties shaped by history, civilisation and culture.
These links are reinforced by Malaysia’s Indian-origin population of about 2.9 million, which forms the world’s third-largest overseas Indian community.
Officials said the latest agreements and discussions are expected to give fresh momentum to bilateral ties at a time of growing regional and global cooperation.
Fulfilling a promise made last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday oversaw the signing of six key agreements between India and Malaysia and spoke of the “shared love for the Tamil language” that binds the two countries, as both sides pushed to deepen cultural, economic and strategic ties in Kuala Lumpur.
At a joint press statement with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, PM Modi said the strong presence of Tamil in Malaysia’s education, media and cultural life reflected the deep-rooted people-to-people connection between the two nations.
“Shared love for Tamil language also connects India and Malaysia. In Malaysia, the strong and living presence of Tamil can be seen in education, media and cultural life. I am confident that with today’s Audio Visual Agreement, film and music, especially Tamil films, will bring our hearts closer,” he said.
He also said he had been keen to visit the country at the earliest opportunity.
“Last year, I could not come to Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit, but I had promised my dear friend that I would visit Malaysia at the earliest. For my foreign visit of 2026, I have come to Malaysia,” PM Modi said.
The two leaders concluded wide-ranging talks during Pm Modi’s two-day official visit, marking a significant step in strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
FOCUS ON SECURITY, DEFENCE AND INTELLIGENCE SHARING
Addressing the media after delegation-level talks, PM Modi announced enhanced cooperation in key security sectors.
“In the security sector, we will strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and maritime security. We will also make defence cooperation more comprehensive,” he said.
He added that both sides would deepen collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, semiconductors, healthcare and food security.
“Along with AI and digital technologies, we will further advance our partnership in semiconductor, health and food security,” Modi said.
Referring to economic engagement, he said, “The CEO forum organised today has thrown open new opportunities for trade and investment. We will pave a path to economic transformation through strategic trust.”
TRADE, CURRENCY AND EDUCATION IN FOCUS: ANWAR
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised India’s economic rise and underlined the importance of expanding cooperation beyond existing trade levels.
“India is growing by leaps and bounds, which is one spectacular rise in the international economic trade scene,” Anwar said.
He said Malaysia stood to benefit from closer engagement with India in the ASEAN context.
“We certainly benefit immensely if we could secure more ways and opportunities to collaborate with India, extending beyond the $18.59 billion that we achieved in 2025,” he said.
Anwar also welcomed the decision to use local currencies as far as possible in bilateral transactions, calling it a “remarkable feat”.
Highlighting education ties, he said many Malaysians had studied in India, while Indian students were increasingly choosing Malaysia.
“Under the premiership of my good friend Prime Minister Modi, you have seen spectacular recognition of Indian centres of excellence in education,” Anwar said.
“We would certainly explore increasing the number of students in various disciplines to study in India,” he added.
SIX MOUS, FOUR KEY DOCUMENTS EXCHANGED
Following the talks, the two sides exchanged six memoranda of understanding, covering a wide range of sectors.
These included agreements on:
- Audio-visual co-production
- Disaster management cooperation
- Combating corruption
- United Nations peacekeeping
- Semiconductor cooperation
In addition, four important documents and reports were submitted, including:
- A memorandum on social security for Indian citizens in Malaysia
- Cooperation on vocational training and education
- Exchange of notes on security cooperation
- Exchange of notes on healthcare cooperation
Officials said the agreements aim to expand collaboration in emerging technologies, governance, public welfare and regional security.
CEREMONIAL WELCOME AND DELEGATION-LEVEL TALKS
PM Modi and PM Anwar Ibrahim earlier held a private meeting and later led delegation-level talks at the Perdana Putra building on Sunday.
The meeting followed a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour accorded to Modi at the same venue.
The reception took place after Modi arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, when Anwar personally welcomed him at the airport.
Malaysian Human Resources Minister Ramanan Ramakrishnan and Deputy Foreign Minister Lukanisman bin Awang Sauni were present.
The arrival ceremony featured a red-carpet welcome and traditional music and dance performances reflecting the shared cultural heritage of the two countries.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES
After the formal engagements, both leaders travelled together in the same vehicle to attend an Indian community event in Kuala Lumpur.
Sharing a message on X, Modi wrote, “Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by my friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the airport. I look forward to our conversations and to further strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Malaysia.”
Later, he posted, “Celebrating the India-Malaysia people-to-people connect! PM Anwar Ibrahim and I are heading to the community programme in Kuala Lumpur.”
VISIT BUILDS ON STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Before departing for Malaysia, Modi had described the visit as an opportunity to deepen cooperation in key areas.
“The historic ties between India and Malaysia have seen steadfast progress in recent years,” he had said.
“We will aim to deepen our defence and security ties, enhance our economic and innovation partnership, and expand our collaboration into new domains,” he added.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the visit carried a “rich agenda” and would give “a major boost to the special partnership between India and Malaysia”.
‘SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP’ REAFFIRMED
PM Modi said India and Malaysia shared a “special relationship” rooted in history, culture and people-to-people ties.
He said the partnership would now move forward with greater focus on defence, innovation and economic cooperation.
Before the visit, Modi had said the talks would aim to deepen defence and security ties and enhance economic and innovation partnerships.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the visit carried a “rich agenda” and would give “significant momentum” to bilateral relations.
THIRD VISIT SINCE TIES UPGRADED
This is Modi’s third visit to Malaysia and his first since the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in August 2024.
India and Malaysia share long-standing ties shaped by history, civilisation and culture.
These links are reinforced by Malaysia’s Indian-origin population of about 2.9 million, which forms the world’s third-largest overseas Indian community.
Officials said the latest agreements and discussions are expected to give fresh momentum to bilateral ties at a time of growing regional and global cooperation.