Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday departed for a two-day visit to Malaysia, his first to the country since bilateral ties of the two nations were elevated to ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’.
The visit from February 7-8, which focuses on the prime minister’s bilateral talks with his counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, will include talks on opportunities of collaboration across the defence sector, comprising the sale of Dornier aircraft, maintenance of Scorpene submarines and SU-30 aircraft, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday.
In his departure statement, the PM said India is eyeing deeper defence and security ties with Malaysia.
“I am embarking on an Official Visit to Malaysia at the invitation of my friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today,” the statement read, adding, “The historic ties between India and Malaysia have seen steadfast progress in recent years. I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and further enhancing our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We will aim to deepen our defence and security ties, enhance our economic and innovation partnership, and expand our collaboration into new domains.”
Prime Minister Modi will also interact with members of the Indian diaspora in Malaysia and other business representatives during his visit – his third to the Southeast Asian nation.
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“I am also eager to meet the Indian community in Malaysia. Numbering nearly three million, they represent one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world. Their immense contribution to Malaysia’s progress and their role as a living bridge between our two nations provides a strong foundation to our historic friendship,” his statement said.
The Indian diaspora in Malaysia is the second-largest PIO community (2.75 million).
Malaysia is an important partner for India in the ASEAN and in the Indo-Pacific region and a key pillar in India’s Act East Policy. India-Malaysia diplomatic ties were elevated to the status of ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ during the visit of Anwar Ibrahim to India from 19-21 August 2024.
Earlier, in 2015, the bilateral relationship was elevated to ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’ when PM Modi visited Malaysia. That visit also marked the inauguration of the Torana Gate by PM Modi and Najib Razak, the then PM of Malaysia. Situated at Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, it is a gift from India to Malaysia as a mark of continued friendship between the two countries.
While diplomatic relations between the two countries were first established in 1957, Prime Minister Modi last met his counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, on the margins of BRICS Summit in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on July 6, 2025. PM Modi also participated virtually in the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit convened in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025, prior to which he interacted with Ibrahim over a telephone call on October 22, 2025.
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