Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim calls PM Narendra Modi a true friend during Kuala Lumpur talks, highlighting trust, strategic partnership, trade growth, education, defence, peacekeeping cooperation, and expanded India–Malaysia relations across multiple sectors.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “true friend” with whom he shares deep trust and understanding, underscoring the growing strength and strategic depth of India–Malaysia relations.
Speaking during a joint press meet with Prime Minister Modi in Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Ibrahim said that the discussions between the two leaders were not merely diplomatic formalities but meaningful exchanges aimed at advancing a comprehensive and forward-looking partnership.
“We consider this meeting and these exchanges very vital, very strategic and critical to advance and enhance relations between India and Malaysia,” Prime Minister Ibrahim said. Highlighting the long-standing ties between the two nations, he recalled that bilateral relations date back to 1957, but were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024.
The Malaysian leader emphasised that the partnership is built on deep historical connections, strong people-to-people linkages, and expanding economic cooperation. He noted that the relationship has matured into a broad-based collaboration spanning multiple sectors critical to both nations’ development trajectories.
Prime Minister Ibrahim said that both countries are committed to deepening collaboration across trade and investment, semiconductors, the digital economy, local currency trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, food security, defence, education, healthcare, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
“This cooperation is truly comprehensive, and we believe it can be advanced and executed in a speedy manner with the strong commitment of both our governments and foreign ministers,” he added.
During the visit, India and Malaysia exchanged 11 key documents, including memorandums of understanding and letters of exchange. Prime Minister Ibrahim said these agreements go beyond conventional bilateral arrangements, covering cooperation in semiconductors, healthcare, peacekeeping, and security, reflecting the evolving strategic nature of the partnership.
Trade and economic cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. Prime Minister Ibrahim expressed optimism about expanding bilateral trade well beyond the levels achieved so far. He referred to the trade figure of $8.59 billion recorded in 2025 and later reiterated the shared ambition to surpass $18.59 billion in the coming years through deeper engagement.
He described the use of local currencies—the Indian rupee and the Malaysian ringgit—for trade settlements as a “remarkable feat,” calling it a forward-looking step that strengthens financial cooperation and reduces dependency on external currencies.
“India is growing by leaps and bounds, and its spectacular rise in the international economic and trade scene is evident. Malaysia, particularly in the ASEAN context, stands to benefit immensely by securing more opportunities to collaborate with India,” he said.
Education emerged as another cornerstone of bilateral ties. Prime Minister Ibrahim highlighted the pivotal role of academic exchanges, noting that many Malaysians have studied in India, while a growing number of Indian students are pursuing education in Malaysia.
He praised India’s rapid progress in higher education over the past decade under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, saying Indian institutions have achieved global recognition and excellence that rivals and, in some cases, surpasses well-known Western institutions.
“We are keen to explore opportunities to increase the number of Malaysian students studying in India across various disciplines,” he said, pointing to education as a long-term investment in bilateral relations.
The Malaysian Prime Minister also stressed the importance of boosting tourism and improving connectivity, describing these sectors as key drivers of people-to-people engagement and economic growth.
In a deeply personal remark, Prime Minister Ibrahim said that his discussions with Prime Minister Modi were marked by sincerity and mutual respect.
“My discussions with Prime Minister Modi are not just normal diplomatic exchanges, but those between true friends, full of trust and understanding,” he said. He expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Modi’s firm commitment to global peace efforts, including initiatives related to the Ukraine–Russia conflict and the Middle East, particularly Gaza.
Calling India’s peacekeeping role “unequivocal,” Prime Minister Ibrahim thanked Prime Minister Modi for his consistent support for dialogue and stability in conflict-affected regions.
As a tangible symbol of strengthening ties, Prime Minister Ibrahim announced Malaysia’s immediate support for India’s decision to open a new Indian consulate in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
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Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya. The two leaders also held delegation-level talks covering defence, security, and regional cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit is being widely viewed as a significant milestone in further deepening the enduring friendship between India and Malaysia, anchored in mutual trust, shared democratic values, and a common vision for regional and global stability.
