PM Modi's Malaysia visit bolstered the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. PM Anwar Ibrahim deemed talks 'vital', leading to the exchange of 11 agreements on security, tech, and culture, and launching new initiatives for deeper bilateral ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day official visit to Malaysia provided strong momentum towards translating the upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into tangible outcomes on the ground.
Leaders Emphasise 'Vital' and 'Special' Ties
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described his discussions with PM Modi as "very vital, very strategic and critical" for advancing bilateral relations. Recalling the elevation of ties in 2024, he said both sides were fully committed to implementing the agreed decisions "in a speedy manner". PM Modi, in turn, characterised the India-Malaysia relationship as "special", citing shared maritime interests, deep cultural linkages and a common commitment to democratic values. He also reiterated India's firm and uncompromising stand on terrorism, stressing that there should be "no double standards, no compromise".
Key Agreements and Initiatives Deepen Cooperation
The two leaders held extensive delegation-level talks in Kuala Lumpur, which culminated in the exchange of 11 documents and a series of key announcements aimed at deepening cooperation across multiple sectors. The documents exchanged included agreements and understandings on audio-visual co-production, disaster management cooperation, combating and preventing corruption, UN peacekeeping cooperation through an exchange of letters, semiconductor cooperation through an exchange of notes, the International Big Cats Alliance framework agreement, social security cooperation between ESIC and PERKESO, vocational education and training (TVET), security cooperation between the national security councils, health and medicine cooperation, and the 10th Malaysia-India CEO Forum report.
Beyond the signed documents, both sides announced several major initiatives, including the establishment of an Indian Consulate General in Malaysia, the creation of a dedicated Thiruvalluvar Centre at Universiti Malaya, and the institution of Thiruvalluvar Scholarships for Malaysian nationals. The two countries also agreed on cross-border payments cooperation between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPPL) and Malaysia's PAYNET, and signed an MoU between the University of Cyberjaya and India's Institute of Training and Research in Ayurveda.
The visit marked PM Modi's third visit to Malaysia and his first since bilateral ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024. (ANI)
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