India and Malaysia Strengthen Strategic Partnership, Pledge to Expand Trade and High-Tech Cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 8: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim have renewed their commitment to deepen bilateral trade and expand cooperation in key sectors, including semiconductors, defense, and healthcare.

Modi, who is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia, is making his first trip to the country since both nations upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in August 2023.

Speaking at a joint press conference after hosting Modi at his official residence in Putrajaya, Anwar said the partnership covers a wide range of sectors such as trade and investment, food security, defense, healthcare, and tourism.

“This partnership is truly comprehensive, and we believe we can advance and implement it quickly with the strong commitment of both governments,” Anwar said.

Following their bilateral meeting, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of 11 cooperation agreements covering various areas, including semiconductor development, disaster management, and peacekeeping operations.

Anwar also said both countries would continue promoting the use of local-currency settlement for cross-border transactions, expressing optimism that bilateral trade could exceed last year’s record level of $18.6 billion.

The leaders reaffirmed their intention to strengthen economic and strategic ties as both countries seek to position themselves more strongly in the rapidly evolving Indo-Pacific economic and security landscape.