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INDIA’S Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a formal state welcome at the Perdana Putra complex in Putrajaya on Saturday as he commenced a two-day official visit to Malaysia.
Today, Modi arrived at 9:08am, greeted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with the ceremony opening to the national anthems of both nations.
He then inspected a guard of honour comprising three officers and 103 members of the First Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (Ceremonial), led by Major Muhamad Nur Addeen Mustaza, while the central band of the Royal Ranger Regiment was conducted by Captain (Dom) Mohd Fahmy Harun.
Also present at the ceremony were Minister of Communications Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, other cabinet members, foreign diplomats, and senior government officials.
The visit, undertaken at Anwar’s invitation, is intended to reciprocate the Prime Minister’s official trip to India in August 2024.
Following the ceremonial welcome, Modi signed the visitor book before attending a bilateral meeting and luncheon with Anwar at the Seri Perdana Complex.
According to a statement from the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two leaders are expected to discuss expanding bilateral relations and explore avenues for collaboration in trade, investment, defence and security, labour, tourism, connectivity, agriculture, and education.
Modi and Anwar also witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding in areas including anti-corruption, training standards, maritime certification and oversight, disaster management, audiovisual publishing, and labour cooperation.
Additionally, they oversaw Exchanges of Notes covering semiconductors, healthcare, national security, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
India is Malaysia’s largest trading partner in South Asia, with total bilateral trade reaching US$18.59 billion (RM79.49 billion) in 2025.
Malaysian exports to India stood at US$12.24 billion (RM52.3 billion), primarily palm oil and derivatives, as well as electrical and electronic products, while imports comprised agricultural products, petroleum, and chemicals.
The visit underscores Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening its strategic and economic ties with India, reflecting both countries’ ambitions to enhance regional connectivity and collaboration. - February 8, 2026
