Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “true friend” with whom he shared a relationship rooted in trust and understanding, as the two leaders held extensive talks aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Speaking during a joint press meet with Prime Minister Modi in Kuala Lumpur, Anwar Ibrahim underlined the strategic importance of the engagement, noting the evolution of India–Malaysia ties over the decades.
“We consider this meeting and these exchanges very vital, very strategic and critical to advance and enhance relations between India and Malaysia. We had long-standing relations since 1957, but we have elevated it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024,” he said, highlighting the deep historical ties, strong people-to-people linkages, and expanding economic cooperation between the two nations.
Broad-based Cooperation Across Key Sectors
The Malaysian Prime Minister said both countries would continue to deepen collaboration across a wide range of sectors, including trade and investment, semiconductors, the digital economy, local currency trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, food security, defence, education, healthcare, tourism, and culture.
“We’ll continue to deepen collaboration in all fields — trade and investment, semiconductor, digital economy, trade in local currency, connectivity, energy, agriculture, food, security, defence, education, healthcare, tourism, culture, and people-to-people. It is really comprehensive, and we believe that we can advance this and execute speedily with the commitment of both our governments, both foreign ministers,” he said.
Anwar Ibrahim also noted that India and Malaysia exchanged 11 documents, including MoUs, through an exchange of letters. He said the agreements extended beyond routine bilateral arrangements, covering cooperation in peacekeeping, semiconductors, healthcare, and security.
Trade, Education And People-To-People Ties In Focus
Expressing optimism over economic ties, the Malaysian Prime Minister said both sides were looking to expand trade cooperation beyond the $8.59 billion achieved in 2025, describing the use of local currencies, the rupee and the Malaysian ringgit, as a ‘remarkable feat.’
“India is growing by leaps and bounds, which is one spectacular rise in the international economic trade scene, and therefore Malaysia, in the ASEAN context, certainly benefits immensely if we could secure more ways and opportunities to collaborate with India to extend beyond the $18.59 billion that we achieved in 2025,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of educational linkages, calling them “pivotal”, and noted the long-standing exchange of students between the two countries.
“Since the last decade or so under the premiership of my good friend Prime Minister Modi, you have seen the spectacular recognition of Indian centres of excellence in education. That’s not only comparable, but many of them have achieved outstanding recognition beyond the known institutions in the West,” he said, adding that Malaysia would explore ways to increase the number of students studying in India.
Need To Enhance Tourism And Connectivity
Anwar Ibrahim further stressed the need to enhance tourism and connectivity, and expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Modi’s role in global peace efforts.
“I must express my appreciation, because my discussions with Prime Minister Modi are not just normal diplomatic exchanges, but those between true friends, full of trust and understanding,” he said, thanking the Indian Prime Minister for his firm commitment to peace initiatives, including efforts related to Ukraine-Russia and the Middle East, particularly Gaza.
As a sign of strengthening ties, the Malaysian Prime Minister announced immediate support for India’s decision to open a consulate in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi and Anwar Ibrahim held delegation-level talks covering defence, security and other areas of bilateral cooperation. PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya.
The visit is being seen as a significant step toward further deepening the enduring friendship between India and Malaysia, anchored in mutual trust, shared values and common aspirations for the future.
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