Page 54 - English 01-15 March, 2026
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INTERNATIONAL | India-Malaysia
India-Malaysia
From Friendship
to Strategic
Partnership
Diplomatic relations between India and Malaysia
began in 1957. Since then, the relationship between
the two countries has been based on mutual
respect and cooperation, which was elevated to a
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in August 2024.
To further strengthen these ties, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi visited Malaysia on February 7th and
8th. During this visit, several important agreements
were signed between the two countries
he historic ties between India and Malaysia have
seen steady progress in recent years, with the nearly
three million Indian diaspora living in Malaysia
Tplaying a significant role. This was Prime Minister
Modi’s third official visit to Malaysia since 2015, at the invi-
tation of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
During his two-day visit, extensive discussions were held
to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
The Social Security between the two countries, including political engagement,
Agreement to protect Indian defence, security cooperation, maritime cooperation, trade
workers in Malaysia, the and investment, digital economy, science and technology,
Gratis e-Visa for tourism, energy, agriculture, health, education, culture, tourism,
and the implementation youth exchanges, economic and innovation, and expanding
of the digital payment cooperation in some new areas. Not only this, regional and
global developments of mutual interest were also discussed.
interface UPI in Malaysia – This visit reflects India’s firm commitment to strengthening
all these steps will simplify India-Malaysia relations, which is a key pillar of the country’s
the lives of citizens of both Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific Vision, and Vision MAHASAGAR.
countries. Because any During the visit, the two leaders recalled the centuries-old
partnership succeeds only India-Malaysia ties and the strong people-to-people con-
when the benefits reach the tacts that are the cornerstone of this partnership. Discus-
people directly sions also focused on enhancing cooperation in emerging
areas such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence. PM
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Modi called for strengthening youth engagement through
parliamentary and university exchanges. The opening of
India’s first consulate in Malaysia will further strengthen
commercial and people-to-people ties. Both sides also ac-
Scan the QR code to watch the cepted the outcome document of the 10th India-Malaysia
Prime Minister’s full programme.
52 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || March 1-15, 2026
