India and Malaysia reaffirm commitment to deepen trade and strategic cooperation

Sunday 08 February 2026 - 10:40

By: Sahili Aya

India and Malaysia reaffirm commitment to deepen trade and strategic cooperation

India and Malaysia on Sunday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and expanding cooperation across a wide range of strategic sectors, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim during an official visit to the country.

The meeting, held in Putrajaya, underscored the growing importance of ties between the two nations since they elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024. Both leaders highlighted the need to translate political momentum into concrete economic and technological outcomes.

Trade and investment were central to the discussions, with both sides expressing confidence that bilateral exchanges could exceed recent levels. The two countries also reiterated their intention to promote the use of local currencies in cross-border transactions as a way to facilitate commerce and reduce financial risks.

Beyond trade, the talks focused on expanding collaboration in high-value sectors such as semiconductors, defence industries, disaster management, healthcare and tourism. Several cooperation agreements were exchanged, reflecting a shared ambition to diversify partnerships and build long-term resilience in critical industries.

Malaysia also signalled its support for India’s plans to expand its diplomatic presence in the region, a move seen as reinforcing people-to-people ties and economic outreach in Southeast Asia.

The visit highlighted the broader strategic convergence between India and Malaysia, as both countries seek to strengthen regional stability, enhance supply chain security and position themselves as key partners in an evolving Indo-Pacific landscape.