New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Malaysia from February 7 to 8 at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.The prime minister last visited Malaysia in 2015, when the two countries upgraded their relationship to an enhanced strategic partnership. Recently, during Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to India in August 2024, relations between the two countries were further upgraded and the two sides agreed to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership.The MEA said the upcoming visit reflects India’s continued commitment to strengthening ties with Malaysia and expanding cross-sector cooperation. “Our two countries are working to further strengthen bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner,” the MEA said.Prime Minister Modi is also expected to meet Malaysian leaders and address the country’s Indian community.
What to expect from this visit
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to review the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- India and Malaysia are discussing a joint review of the India-Malaysia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.
- Leaders will review cooperation in key areas including trade, investment, defence, security, semiconductors, digital technology, renewable energy, education and healthcare.
- The visit will also provide an opportunity to strengthen India’s engagement with the ASEAN region.
- During the visit, the 10th India-Malaysia CEO Forum meeting will be held in Kuala Lumpur.
- Prime Minister Modi will interact with leading CEOs of key industries in Malaysia to promote business and investment linkages.
- He will also deliver a speech
Indian community in Malaysia with a population of approximately 2.9 million people.
India-Malaysia relations: an overview
- Malaysia has a population of approximately 2.9 million Indians and has one of the largest Indian diaspora populations in the world.
- Bilateral trade between the two countries remains important, and economic exchanges have been close over the years.
- Relations between the two countries faced tensions in 2019 and 2020 due to disagreements over political issues and trade measures, including restrictions on palm oil imports.
- Relations between the two countries have improved in recent years, and during Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to India in August 2024, the two countries signed nine agreements.
- The upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership marks an important step in cooperation between the two parties in economic, strategic, cultural and other fields.
