By: Aditya Ahuja
Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is on his first official three-day visit to India, marks a crucial step in strengthening the strategic ties between the two nations. The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlights the evolving and deepening relationship between India and Malaysia, covering a wide range of areas, from economic cooperation to cultural exchanges.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included key Malaysian ministers.
The Malaysian Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat. The visit included bilateral talks between the two Prime Ministers, during which they reviewed the Enhanced Strategic Partnership established in 2015.
The discussions reflected on the multidimensional nature of the relationship, with both leaders agreeing on the need to further consolidate ties into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Broad Spectrum of Cooperation
The bilateral talks covered a comprehensive range of topics, highlighting the multifaceted nature of India-Malaysia relations. The discussions included political, defense and security cooperation, economic and trade ties, digital technologies, renewable energy, healthcare, higher education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people relations.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing cooperation in diverse fields such as recruitment, employment and repatriation of workers, Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine, digital technologies, culture, tourism, public administration, youth and sports, and financial services. These agreements are expected to pave the way for deeper collaboration in these key areas.
Trade and Economic Cooperation
Bilateral trade between India and Malaysia reached a record high of US$19.5 billion, with both Prime Ministers expressing satisfaction with the robust trade relations. They encouraged industries in both countries to further enhance trade in a sustainable manner. The leaders also welcomed the ongoing review process of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), aiming for substantial progress by 2025.
The visit also underscored the importance of digital cooperation, with both sides agreeing to expedite collaboration in areas such as digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity, 5G, quantum computing, and other emerging technologies. The signing of the MoU on Digital Technologies and the early convening of the Malaysia-India Digital Council are expected to accelerate engagement in this critical sector.
Defense and Security Collaboration
The two Prime Ministers acknowledged the strong bilateral defense and security partnership, which remains a core pillar of their Enhanced Strategic Partnership. They agreed to intensify defense cooperation through regular exchanges, joint exercises, and capacity-building initiatives. Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and reaffirmed their commitment to working together to combat terrorism and transnational organized crime.
Cultural and Educational Exchange
Cultural and educational exchanges were also high on the agenda, with both sides agreeing to promote greater interaction between the youth of both countries. Malaysia welcomed the special allocation of 100 seats under India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme for Malaysian nationals, particularly in areas like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
The two Prime Ministers emphasized the importance of cultural cooperation, including the establishment of the Ayurveda Chair at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman in Malaysia and the Tiruvalluvar Chair of Indian Studies at Universiti Malaya. They also agreed to expand cooperation in audio-visual co-production, acknowledging the longstanding cultural ties between the two nations.
Sustainable Development and Climate Change
Recognizing the global challenge of climate change, both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in promoting sustainable energy and climate adaptation. Malaysia appreciated India’s leadership in initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). The two countries also agreed to consolidate efforts in addressing climate change and welcomed Malaysia’s decision to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) as a founding member.
Strengthening Global Cooperation
The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and the importance of a rules-based international order. They pledged to work together to enhance the representation of developing countries in international organizations, including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). India expressed deep appreciation for Malaysia’s support for its permanent membership in a reformed UNSC.
Looking Forward
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Malaysia, highlighting the continued commitment of both nations to furthering their strategic partnership. The visit marks a new chapter in India-Malaysia relations, setting the stage for even closer cooperation in the years to come.