Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 7 began an official visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, calling Anwar a “friend” in his departure statement. The two-day trip, from February 7–8, will feature bilateral talks aimed at strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur elevated in August 2024.
Modi said the visit will focus on deepening defence and security cooperation, broadening economic and innovation ties, and expanding collaboration into new areas. New Delhi is exploring concrete defence-sector cooperation, including potential sales of Dornier aircraft and maintenance work on Scorpene submarines and SU-30 fighter jets, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
This is Modi’s third visit to Malaysia and his first since the partnership upgrade. He is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and meet business leaders as well as members of the sizable Indian community in Malaysia, which numbers nearly three million. Modi praised the diaspora for its contributions to Malaysia’s development and described the community as a living bridge between the two countries.
The agenda combines strategic and economic priorities: defence and security discussions at the governmental level, commercial engagement with business representatives, and outreach to the Indian diaspora. The visit reflects India’s intent to translate the upgraded bilateral relationship into practical cooperation across defence, trade, technology and other emerging domains.
