PM Modi Meets Ethiopia, Malaysia At BRICS To Strengthen Defence And Economic Ties
India, Ethiopia, Malaysia Deepen Strategic Ties At BRICS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral meetings with the leaders of Ethiopia and Malaysia on Saturday opened the way for stronger cooperation between India and the two countries, with defence, trade, investment and emerging technologies emerging as key areas of discussion. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in the national capital and reflected India’s efforts to expand strategic and economic partnerships with countries across the developing world.
Government sources said Ethiopia and Malaysia expressed interest in deepening their defence cooperation with India during the discussions. The focus on defence comes as New Delhi continues to strengthen security partnerships with countries across different regions while expanding its engagement in areas beyond traditional diplomatic and economic ties. Cooperation in defence can include exchanges, institutional partnerships and collaboration in areas of mutual interest, although specific agreements from the meetings were not immediately detailed.
The discussions with Ethiopia also highlighted opportunities for expanding business and investment ties. India has maintained longstanding relations with the African country, and greater economic engagement could create opportunities in sectors ranging from infrastructure and manufacturing to technology and services. The meeting provided an opportunity for the two sides to explore ways of strengthening commercial links and encouraging investment, while also discussing broader areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Also Read: PM Narendra Modi Outlines Water Management Strategy Incorporating AI Solutions
Malaysia, meanwhile, emerged as another important partner in India’s efforts to deepen engagement in Southeast Asia. Discussions with Malaysian leadership covered defence cooperation, investment and emerging technologies, according to government sources. The focus on technology reflects the growing importance of digital and advanced technological sectors in bilateral relations, while stronger investment ties could help expand business opportunities between Indian and Malaysian companies.
The meetings came as India seeks to broaden its partnerships through the BRICS platform and strengthen cooperation with countries that have growing economic and strategic importance. Ethiopia’s interest in deeper defence engagement and Malaysia’s interest in expanding cooperation with India provide opportunities for New Delhi to build stronger links across Africa and Southeast Asia. The discussions also demonstrated the increasingly wide range of issues being covered in India’s bilateral engagements, from security and defence to investment, business and emerging technologies.
Modi’s meetings with the Ethiopian and Malaysian leaders are therefore expected to give fresh momentum to India’s relations with both countries. While defence cooperation was a prominent area of interest, the discussions also placed emphasis on economic engagement, investment and technology. The focus on multiple sectors reflects India’s broader approach of building comprehensive partnerships rather than limiting bilateral ties to a single area. With both Ethiopia and Malaysia expressing keenness to strengthen their engagement with India, the meetings at the BRICS summit could provide a foundation for closer cooperation in the coming years.
Also Read: Why Is PM Modi Asking Indians To Avoid Gold, Foreign Trips And Weddings Abroad Again?
