Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hailed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “true friend” during their joint press conference in Kuala Lumpur. Ibrahim emphasized the importance of their meeting and the significant progress made in enhancing relations between India and Malaysia, especially since elevating their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024.
During the press meet, Ibrahim highlighted the deep historical connections, strong people-to-people relationships, and expanding economic cooperation between the two nations. He expressed a commitment to further collaboration in various sectors such as trade, investment, digital economy, energy, education, healthcare, and tourism, aiming for comprehensive advancement with the support of both governments.
The Malaysian PM noted the exchange of 11 documents, including MoUs, which extended beyond traditional bilateral agreements, covering areas like semiconductor, healthcare, and security cooperation. Ibrahim also expressed optimism about boosting trade cooperation with India beyond the $8.59 billion mark achieved in 2025, particularly emphasizing the use of local currencies, the rupee, and the Malaysian ringgit.
Emphasizing the importance of educational ties, Ibrahim highlighted the pivotal role of education in fostering closer relations, mentioning the increasing number of Indian students in Malaysia and the recognition of Indian educational institutions. He also underscored the need to focus on enhancing tourism and connectivity between the two countries.
