Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that his two-day visit to Malaysia would significantly strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two countries, calling it a milestone in bilateral relations. After concluding his trip and departing for India, Modi thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the people of Malaysia for their warmth and hospitality.

In a post on X, Modi recalled that he could not attend the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia last year but had promised to visit at the earliest opportunity. He described Malaysia as the destination of his first foreign visit in 2026, underscoring its strategic importance for India’s Act East policy.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit produced “substantial outcomes” that would deepen India–Malaysia cooperation across multiple sectors. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the special warmth of the visit and said it was rooted in shared cultural bonds.

Earlier, Modi participated in an India–Malaysia CEO Forum, saying it opened fresh avenues for trade and investment. He later held talks with Anwar Ibrahim at Seri Perdana, reviewing cooperation in infrastructure, energy, IT, biotechnology, and digital transformation.

Both leaders agreed to expand collaboration in security, defence technologies, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors—areas seen as critical for future economic resilience. They also emphasized maritime cooperation, noting that India and Malaysia are natural maritime neighbours.

Modi said people-to-people ties remain the foundation of the bilateral relationship. He highlighted three key initiatives: a Social Security Agreement, a gratis e-visa for tourism, and the planned rollout of India’s UPI digital payments in Malaysia.

The prime minister also noted plans to boost university exchanges and skill development programmes for youth from both countries.

During his visit, Modi met members of the Indian diaspora, interacted with Indian-origin leaders, and paid tribute to INA veteran Jeyaraj Raja Rao, acknowledging the historical contribution of Indians in Malaysia.

Officials described the visit as a reset moment in India–Malaysia ties, combining economic partnership, cultural diplomacy, and strategic cooperation.