Kuala Lumpur, February 8: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a true friend during a joint press conference on Sunday. He emphasized the reliable agreements established between the two nations.
Ibrahim highlighted the significance of the recent meeting and the exchange of documents between Malaysia and India, calling it “extremely important, strategic, and essential for strengthening relations.” He noted that the two countries have maintained a long-standing relationship since 1957, which has now been elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024.
He pointed out the deep historical ties, strong people-to-people connections, and the continuously growing economic partnership.
“We will deepen cooperation across all sectors,” said Ibrahim. He mentioned areas such as trade and investment, semiconductors, the digital economy, local currency trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, food security, defense, education, healthcare, tourism, culture, and interpersonal relations. “This is indeed comprehensive, and we are confident that the commitment from both governments and foreign ministers will accelerate progress.”
The Malaysian Prime Minister revealed that both countries exchanged 11 documents, including memorandums of understanding (MOUs). He stated that this exchange goes beyond typical bilateral agreements, incorporating sectors like semiconductors, healthcare, and security cooperation.
Ibrahim expressed hope for enhancing trade collaboration with India, suggesting it could grow beyond the current $8.59 billion. He described the use of local currencies, the Indian Rupee and Malaysian Ringgit, as an “incredible achievement.”
He also emphasized the importance of educational ties, noting that many Malaysians have studied in India, while the number of Indian students in Malaysia is on the rise. “In the past decade, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India’s educational institutions have gained remarkable recognition, surpassing many Western institutions. Therefore, we will certainly consider increasing the number of students in this sector.”
Ibrahim stressed the need to focus on tourism and connectivity as well.
“I appreciate that my discussions with Prime Minister Modi are not merely diplomatic exchanges but are filled with trust and understanding between true friends. I want to take this opportunity to thank him for supporting peace efforts, whether in the Ukraine-Russia situation or the Middle East, especially Gaza,” he stated.
He also expressed immediate agreement with the Indian government’s decision to open a consulate in Malaysia as a sign of the strong relations between the two countries.
Earlier, both leaders engaged in delegation-level talks, discussing measures to strengthen bilateral relations across various sectors, including defense and security.
Modi’s visit is seen as a significant step toward deepening the long-standing friendship between India and Malaysia, based on mutual trust, shared values, and common aspirations for the future.