India and Malaysia aim to strengthen their economic and strategic partnership during PM Modi’s 2026 visit. The talks covered trade, defence, digital cooperation, and deeper regional collaboration.
Image Source: X
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Malaysia on 7 February 2026 at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Over two packed days, the leaders reaffirmed their shared goal: to take the India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a stronger, wider, and more practical level.
In a joint statement, the two countries highlighted centuries of cultural exchange, decades of political trust, and millions of personal connections between people on both sides, in addition to what’s ahead.
Advertisement
#WATCH | At joint press statement with Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, PM Narendra Modi says, “We also had meaningful discussions on regional and global issues. In this environment of global instability, the growing friendship between India and Malaysia is really important for both… pic.twitter.com/kKOqik7wbk
Advertisement
— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2026
India and Malaysia officially established diplomatic relations in 1957, the same year Malaysia gained independence.
In August 2024, this relationship was formally elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
Both leaders repeatedly highlighted how ancient civilisational links, shared cultural heritage, and the vibrant Indian community in Malaysia give this relationship a strong and emotional foundation that few bilateral ties enjoy.
On 8 February, the two Prime Ministers held extensive bilateral talks covering almost every major area of cooperation. The discussions were described as productive and wide-ranging, touching on political ties, defence and security, trade and investment, digital cooperation, energy, agriculture, healthcare, education, culture, tourism, and global affairs.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also hosted an official luncheon in honour of Prime Minister Modi.
Both leaders agreed that regular dialogue and high-level visits have played a key role in strengthening trust and coordination between India and Malaysia.
They reaffirmed the importance of continuing engagement through Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), Joint Commission Meetings (JCM).
Both countries also placed strong emphasis on parliamentary cooperation. The leaders welcomed recent exchanges including January 2026 visit of Malaysian Speaker Johari Abdul to India for the Commonwealth Speakers’ Conference. In addition, September 2025 visit of an Indian parliamentary delegation to Malaysia for the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and all-party parliamentary delegation from India visiting Malaysia between May and June 2025 were discussed.
Malaysia sees India as a key global economic partner, and both leaders acknowledged the steady growth in bilateral trade.
They agreed that the relationship must now focus on trade facilitation, balanced growth, new sectors with future potential.
Special emphasis was placed on expanding cooperation in semiconductors, digital economy, industrial collaboration.
The leaders underlined the importance of two trade frameworks: Malaysia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (MICECA) and ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
Both Prime Ministers welcomed the rise in bilateral investments and encouraged deeper cooperation in priority sectors such as infrastructure, energy, including renewables, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, healthcare, digital economy and fintech, startups and artificial intelligence, hospitality and green technologies.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s growing role as an attractive investment destination for Malaysian companies. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in turn, welcomed the strong presence of Indian manufacturing and technology firms in Malaysia.
On 7 February 2026, Kuala Lumpur hosted the 10th India-Malaysia CEO Forum. Both leaders welcomed the meeting and took note of its outcome document.
They expressed hope that the Forum would continue acting as a bridge between governments and businesses helping convert policy intent into commercial partnerships.
Both Prime Ministers appreciated ongoing cooperation between Reserve Bank of India and Bank Negara Malaysia.
Recognising global uncertainties, both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in food security and nutrition.
They stressed the importance of stable and resilient supply chains, regular dialogue on agricultural trade, sharing information to prevent disruptions.
Both sides agreed to collaborate in oil palm cultivation, develop higher value palm-based products, resolve market access issues through structured engagement.
The leaders described MIDC as a key platform for cooperation in fintech, e-governance, cybersecurity, AI, digital public infrastructure, emerging technologies.
They welcomed collaboration between NPCI International Limited (India) and PayNet Malaysia.
The leaders noted the growing role of PETRONAS and Gentari in India’s renewable energy and green hydrogen sectors.
They agreed there is strong potential for large-scale solar projects, clean energy collaboration, joint efforts toward net-zero goals.
Malaysia also appreciated India’s leadership in founding the International Solar Alliance.
Recognising the global importance of semiconductors, both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation across the semiconductor value chain.
Focus areas include technology innovation, skilled workforce development, supply chain resilience.
They welcomed ongoing cooperation between IIT Madras Global and Malaysia’s Advanced Semiconductor Academy, Indian Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) and Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA).
The leaders expressed satisfaction with the strong defence relationship between the two countries, built through regular exchanges and visits, joint exercises, training programmes, defence industry collaboration.
They welcomed progress under the Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM), including the creation of strategic Affairs Working Group and Su-30 Forum.
India and Malaysia strongly and unequivocally condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism.
They agreed on zero tolerance for terrorism, joint efforts against radicalisation and violent extremism, cooperation on counter-terror financing, preventing misuse of emerging technologies.
They also agreed to cooperate against transnational organised crime, sharing information and best practices, including through UN and FATF frameworks.
The leaders welcomed the 5th edition of Harimau Shakti joint military exercise held in India in December 2025, naval visits by INS Sahyadri and INS Sandhayak to Malaysian ports, regular participation in naval exercises such as Samudra Laksamana, MILAN, AIME.
They also noted the establishment of the Malaysia-India Security Dialogue as a formal platform for security discussions.
Both leaders acknowledged the large number of students studying in each other’s countries.
They encouraged more student and faculty exchanges, and stronger institutional partnerships.
Prime Minister Modi invited Malaysian students to explore opportunities under India’s Study in India Programme.
They also stressed cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to build a future-ready workforce.
The leaders agreed to streamline movement of workers and professionals, strengthen tourism cooperation. India welcomed Visit Malaysia 2026. Malaysia appreciated the Incredible India campaign.
They noted that visa liberalisation has already boosted tourism and business travel. Both sides committed to strengthening air connectivity.
The leaders appreciated operationalisation of the Thiruvalluvar Chair of Indian Studies at Universiti Malaya, Thiruvalluvar Center and Thiruvalluvar Scholarships for Malaysian students.
Malaysia reaffirmed commitment to facilitating the return of Traditional Indian Medicine (TIM) experts under the ITEC programme.
They welcomed an MoU between CCRH (India) and University of Cyberjaya promoting homeopathy research and training.
The leaders highlighted cooperation in biodiversity conservation, including big cat protection under the International Big Cat Alliance, in addition to disaster management, through joint training, exercises, and information sharing.
The leaders exchanged views on global challenges and emphasised peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Malaysia welcomed India’s 2026 BRICS Chairmanship. India supported Malaysia’s aspiration to become a BRICS member.
Both agreed to strengthen cooperation at the United Nations, support reforms of international institutions, and make global governance more representative.
India appreciated Malaysia’s support for its permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council.
The leaders reaffirmed support for freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful dispute resolution under UNCLOS 1982.
They reaffirmed commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, aligning ASEAN’s Outlook with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Advertisement
