Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for a bilateral meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, marking a significant moment in the relationship between India and Malaysia. This visit, the first by Ibrahim since assuming office as Malaysia’s premier, underscores the longstanding ties and mutual respect between the two nations. The discussions held between the two leaders were aimed at deepening their engagement across various sectors, enhancing cooperation, and setting the stage for future collaborations.
Ceremonial Welcome and Inaugural Discussions
The day began with a ceremonial reception for Prime Minister Ibrahim at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was greeted with full honours by Prime Minister Modi. Following the formalities, the two leaders engaged in detailed discussions at Hyderabad House, focusing on a broad spectrum of issues including trade, education, infrastructure, and sustainable energy.
In his welcoming remarks, Modi highlighted the shared historical and socio-cultural ties between the two nations, which have been further strengthened since the establishment of the Enhanced Strategic Partnership in 2015. This partnership has paved the way for increased collaboration in various fields, and the current visit aims to build on this foundation.
MoUs Signed Across Multiple Sectors
A significant outcome of the meeting was the signing of nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across various sectors. These agreements are expected to catalyze deeper collaboration in areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and technology. The MoUs reflect a mutual commitment to exploring new opportunities and strengthening the existing partnerships.
On X (Formerly Twitter) the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, expressed optimism about the discussions, noting that the talks were “productive” and would “further deepen engagement across various domains of partnership and explore new areas of collaboration.” This sentiment was echoed by Prime Minister Ibrahim, who emphasized the long-standing beneficial relationship between Malaysia and India in his message on social media.
Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Engagements in New Delhi
Prime Minister Ibrahim’s visit to New Delhi included a solemn tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. The Malaysian leader laid a wreath at the memorial and signed the visitor’s book, paying homage to Gandhi’s enduring legacy. This act underscored the shared values of peace and non-violence that both India and Malaysia uphold.
In addition to his meetings with Prime Minister Modi, Ibrahim is scheduled to call on the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, further reinforcing the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also met with the Malaysian Prime Minister, expressing his appreciation for Ibrahim’s guidance in taking the India-Malaysia partnership to new heights. Jaishankar highlighted the potential for enhanced cooperation in various sectors and the importance of strong bilateral ties.
Enhancing Trade Relations: India-Malaysia CEOs Forum
A key highlight of the visit was the ‘Meeting of India-Malaysia CEOs Forum’ held in New Delhi on Monday, where Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, emphasized the importance of strengthening trade cooperation between the two countries. The forum provided a platform for business leaders from both nations to explore mutual opportunities and discuss strategies for fostering growth.
Goyal highlighted several sectors where India and Malaysia could collaborate more deeply, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, tourism, the digital economy, e-commerce, and clean and sustainable energy. He stressed the importance of joint efforts in these areas to further strengthen the partnership between the two countries.
“India and Malaysia must explore deeper collaboration in several sectors to strengthen our partnership. Growing together is our mantra. We hope the business persons on both sides will have an engaging discussion, and we can grow together both in trade, tourism, technology, and investments,” Goyal stated.
Exploring New Opportunities in Oil, Gas, and Electronics
In his address, Goyal also highlighted India’s advancements in the oil and gas sectors, inviting Malaysian businesses to explore the vast opportunities in these fields. He pointed out that India is increasingly opening up its oil and gas drilling sectors, creating numerous prospects for international players, including those from Malaysia.
A Step Forward in India-Malaysia Relations
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to India marks a new chapter in the India-Malaysia bilateral relationship. The discussions, agreements, and engagements during this visit are expected to pave the way for further strengthening of ties between the two nations. As both countries enter the second decade of their Enhanced Strategic Partnership, the focus will be on charting out a multi-sectoral cooperation agenda for the future, ensuring that the partnership continues to thrive and benefit the people of both countries.
