Modi’s official visit to Malaysia deepens strategic ties

LocalPolitics
7 Feb 2026 • 8:03 AM MYT
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INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Malaysia today for an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, marking a reciprocal visit following Anwar’s trip to India last August.

Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, Wisma Putra, said the visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

“It will also build upon the strong foundation of friendship since the setting up of diplomatic relations in 1957, and the elevation of our ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year,” it said in a statement, as reported by Bernama.

Modi is scheduled to receive an official welcome at the Perdana Putra Complex in Putrajaya tomorrow, followed by a bilateral meeting with Anwar. Wisma Putra said both leaders are expected to review Malaysia–India relations and explore further collaboration, particularly in trade and investment, defence and security, labour, tourism, connectivity, agriculture and education.

Their discussions will also cover regional and international issues of shared concern.

Following the meeting, the two leaders are set to witness the exchange of several memorandums of understanding covering cooperation in combating and preventing corruption, standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers, disaster management and audio-visual production, as well as a memorandum of collaboration in the field of labour.

They will also witness exchanges of notes in the areas of semiconductors, healthcare, national security and vocational education and training, in addition to an exchange of letters on United Nations peacekeeping cooperation and the submission of a framework agreement on the International Big Cat Alliance.

Anwar is also scheduled to host an official luncheon in honour of Modi.

The Indian leader will be accompanied by India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and senior government officials.

Anwar confirmed that he will personally welcome Modi upon his arrival. Modi, who is on a two-day official visit beginning tomorrow, is expected to land at about 4pm at the Bunga Raya Complex of Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

“Yes, I will welcome him,” Anwar said.

He was speaking to reporters after attending a screening of the film Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story, directed by his longtime friend Akbar Khan, at a cinema in IOI City Mall on Sunday night.

In a separate statement issued today, Wisma Putra reiterated that Modi’s visit this weekend is at the invitation of the Prime Minister and follows Anwar’s official visit to India in August 2024.

Modi is scheduled to receive an official welcome at the Perdana Putra Complex, followed by a bilateral meeting with Anwar at the Sri Perdana Complex.

According to Wisma Putra, both leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations and spearhead new avenues of cooperation between Malaysia and India, particularly in trade and investment, defence and security, labour, tourism, connectivity, agriculture and education, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

In 2025, total trade between Malaysia and India reached RM79.49 billion, with Malaysia’s exports to India amounting to RM52.30 billion and imports totalling RM27.19 billion.

Malaysia’s key exports to India include palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products, as well as electrical and electronic products, while imports from India mainly comprise agricultural, petroleum and chemical products.

India remains Malaysia’s largest trading partner in the South Asian region. - February 7, 2026