Outcomes of PM Modi’s visit to Malaysia

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook an official visit to Malaysia from February 7 to 8.

• He held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim.

• The leaders held wide-ranging discussions and agreed to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established between the two countries in 2024. 

• They reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including priority sectors such as trade, investment, defence, security, maritime, clean energy, infrastructure, startups, agriculture, education, health, ayurveda, tourism and cultural linkages. 

• They also discussed enhancing cooperation in emerging areas such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI). 

• They welcomed the agreement between UPI and PayNet to enhance fintech collaboration.

• Malaysia completed all procedures for its accession to the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). 

• Following the talks, several important bilateral agreements, including on security cooperation, semiconductors, health and medicine, disaster management, combating corruption, audio-visual co-production, technical and vocational education, UN peacekeeping cooperation and social security for Indian workers were exchanged. 

• Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1957, Malaysia and India have built a partnership based on mutual respect and shared values, which was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in August 2024.

List of MoUs/agreements:

i) MoU on cooperation in combating and preventing corruption.

ii) MoU on disaster management.

iii) MoC on cooperation in promoting social security programs and activities for Indian citizens as insured persons in Malaysia.

iv) Agreement on audio-visual co-production.

v) Exchange of Letter (EoL) on the renewal of the MoU on United Nations peacekeeping cooperation.

vi) Ratification by Malaysia of the framework agreement on the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA).

vii) Collaboration between NPCI International Limited (NIPL) and PayNet Malaysia to establish bilateral payment linkages.

viii) Exchange of Note on cooperation in the field of semiconductors.

ix) Establishment of an Indian Consulate General in Malaysia.

x) Establishment of a dedicated Thiruvalluvar Centre in Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)