4 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Feb 7, 2026 06:57 PM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India is seen as a “trusted partner for growth” and that trust has become the country’s “strongest currency,” citing the FTA finalised with the European Union last month, among other trade deals signed in recent years.
The PM made the statement at a community programme in Kuala Lumpur, marking the beginning of his two-day state visit to Malaysia. He referred to New Delhi’s trade deals with the UK, the UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Oman, the EU and the US.
Modi said he was very delighted to be in Malaysia which is his first foreign visit in 2026, signalling a new momentum in the bilateral ties. This visit is aimed at strengthening defence and security ties, enhancing economic partnership and exploring new domains of collaboration, a departure statement issued earlier read.
This also marks PM Modi’s first visit since India-Malaysia relations were elevated to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ in August 2024.
Address to Indian diaspora
PM Modi said Malaysia has the second-largest Indian-origin community in the world and there is a lot that connects the two countries. Addressing the Indian diaspora at the gathering, he underscored its role in serving as a bridge between the two nations.
“I am grateful for the warmth of the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur. Our diaspora continues to serve as a strong bridge between India and Malaysia,” he said.
Modi also said both India and Malaysia know each other very well and it must be due to a large number of common words between Indian languages and Malay.
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He said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was present at the event, and he have been friends even before the latter became PM.
Modi said the members of the Tamil diaspora are contributing to Malaysian society in various fields. “The Tamil diaspora has been here for many centuries. Inspired by this history, we are proud to have established the Thiruvalluvar Chair in the University of Malaya. We will now set up a Thiruvalluvar Centre to further strengthen our shared heritage,” he said.
An IMPACTful partnership
Highlighting the South Asian country’s active role in promoting Indian culture with over 500 schools teaching children in Indian languages, PM Modi described the bilateral relationship through the acronym IMPACT, which means “India-Malaysia Partnership for Advancing Collective Transformation.”
He said “India’s success is Malaysia’s success, and it is Asia’s success”.
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Modi also asked Indians and people of Indian origin to travel and experience India. “You must also bring your Malay friends with you. Because people-to-people contact is the cornerstone of our friendship,” he said.
A warm welcome
Modi and his Malaysian counterpart received a warm welcome at the event with over 800 dancers showcasing Indian classical and folk dances, including Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Yakshagana, Lavani and Odisi.
“I am personally excited to have a great friend from India joining us in Malaysia,” Ibrahim told the gathering.
The Malaysian prime minister recalled ancient ties between the two nations.
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“India or Bharat is among Malaysia’s top trading partners. It is not only goods that move between us, but in 2025 over 1.5 million Indian visitors came to Malaysia,” Ibrahim said.
Modi arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to a red-carpet reception, with his Malaysian counterpart Ibrahim receiving him at the airport.
“Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by my friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the airport. I look forward to our conversations and to further strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Malaysia,” Modi said on X.
Landed in Kuala Lumpur.
Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by my friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the airport. I look forward to our conversations and to further strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Malaysia.@anwaribrahim pic.twitter.com/z3NLyv4QGW
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 7, 2026
The invitation from the Malaysia Prime Minister comes on the heels of India and the United States announcing an interim trade agreement, which PM Modi called “a great news,” thanking US President Donald Trump for his personal commitment.
