Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday embarked on a two-day official visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with strategic cooperation and India’s Act East Policy expected to be central to discussions. The visit is aimed at giving fresh momentum to the India–Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and deepening New Delhi’s engagement with Southeast Asia.

In his departure statement, Prime Minister Modi described India and Malaysia as nations bound by historic ties that have seen “steadfast progress in recent years.” He said the visit would focus on advancing cooperation across defense, security, economic ties, innovation, and emerging areas. The two leaders are expected to review bilateral relations and explore ways to expand collaboration in new and strategic domains.

This is Prime Minister Modi’s third visit to Malaysia and his first since bilateral ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Anwar Ibrahim’s state visit to India in August 2024. Earlier, the relationship had been upgraded to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership during Modi’s visit to Malaysia in 2015, a milestone marked by the joint inauguration of the Torana Gate at Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur, symbolizing enduring friendship between the two countries.

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India and Malaysia share strong historical, cultural, and people-to-people links, reinforced by a large Indian diaspora in Malaysia. About 2.9 million people of Indian origin live in the country, making it the third-largest Indian community overseas and the second-largest Person of Indian Origin community globally. These ties have long been a key pillar of the bilateral relationship.

Prime Minister Modi said he was keen to engage with members of the Indian community during the visit, noting their contribution to Malaysia’s development and their role as a “living bridge” between the two nations. He is scheduled to address a community reception, underlining the importance New Delhi places on diaspora engagement as part of its broader regional outreach.

Officials said the visit is expected to further consolidate bilateral cooperation and reinforce India’s strategic presence in Southeast Asia under the Act East Policy at a time of evolving regional and global dynamics.

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