Malaysia and India deepen long-standing ties with stronger focus on education, talent development, and more

Tourism and connectivity are expected to grow, with both countries looking at visa facilitation and stronger air links to support travel and business exchanges.

Malaysia and India are stepping up efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation, with both countries drawing a broader and more structured partnership across education, skills development, trade, and strategic industries.

Speaking at a joint media conference following bilateral talks, leaders from both sides, Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, and Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Republic of India described the relationship as one built on decades of trust and people-to-people ties, now moving into a more comprehensive strategic phase. While diplomatic relations date back to 1957, the partnership was elevated in 2024 to reflect growing collaboration in economic and human capital areas.

In a joint statement shared by the foreign affairs ministries, the two leaders affirmed that the "deep historical links, millenia old contacts, shared cultural heritage and democratic values, between the two countries and the presence of a vibrant Indian community in Malaysia constitute a unique, strong and enduring foundation for the bilateral relationship, and continue to enrich its multi-dimensional character."

Education and talent development featured prominently in discussions, as PM Anwar shared in a Facebook post:

"Education also remains close to my heart, with a commitment to opening up more student exchange spaces and collaboration with higher education institutions, alongside strengthening TVET and talent development that will shape future generations."

Efforts will also include closer collaboration between universities and centres such as the Thiruvalluvar Centre at Universiti Malaya.

Both leaders underscored that this partnership is one of mutual value and strategic synergy and agreed to enhance trade facilitation and explore expanded potential in diverse areas, including:

• trade and investment,
• semiconductors,
• the digital economy,
• trade in local currency,
• connectivity,
• energy, 
• agriculture and food security, and
• defence and security.

"It is really comprehensive, and we believe that we can advance execute this in a speedy manner with the commitment of both governments," PM Anwar added.

Further, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s role as a key investment destination for Malaysian companies, while Prime Minister Anwar welcomed the significant presence of Indian manufacturing and technology firms, which have contributed to high-skilled job creation in Malaysia.

The leaders emphasised the importance of the Malaysia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (MICECA) and the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) and welcomed the ongoing review of AITIGA to make it mutually beneficial, trade facilitative and relevant to current global trading practices.

In addition, both leaders also appreciated MICECA for its potential for deepening economic relations and encouraged its optimum utilisation

Eleven documents, including memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and exchanges of letters, were extended beyond normal bilateral arrangements, because "we have covered even peacekeeping operation, on the semiconductor, healthcare, and security cooperation."

Trade remains a key pillar of the relationship. Bilateral trade reached US$18.59bn in 2025, and both sides indicated plans to expand flows further. One notable development is the increased use of local currencies — the Malaysian ringgit and Indian rupee — for cross-border trade and investment, supported by coordination between Bank Negara Malaysia and the Reserve Bank of India.

They also welcomed the collaboration between NPCI International Limited (NIPL) and PayNet Malaysia to establish bilateral payment linkages, noting that this integration will significantly enhance the ease of doing business and provide seamless, low-cost remittance and payment solutions for tourists, students, and small businesses, thereby enabling closer economic and people-to-people connectivity between Malaysia and India.

Tourism and connectivity are also expected to grow, with both countries looking at visa facilitation and stronger air links to support travel and business exchanges. In this regard, they appreciated the growing air and maritime connectivity between the countries and agreed to strengthen it further.

The leaders also welcomed the regular navy-to-navy interactions between the countries, including under bilateral and multilateral naval exercises such as ‘Samudra Laksamana’, MILAN and ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME).

Both leaders also agreed to deepen cooperation in food security and nutrition, particularly in the trade of staple commodities, while respecting each country’s domestic policies. They highlighted the importance of ensuring stable, resilient, and sustainable supply chains to safeguard the food security and nutritional needs of their populations. They both encouraged regular dialogue, information exchange, and collaborative measures to anticipate and mitigate potential disruptions in agricultural production and trade.

Further, PM Anwar reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to remain a reliable supplier of sustainable palm oil. In this regard, PM Anwar and PM Modi encouraged deeper collaboration in oil palm cultivation. Both sides also agreed for collaboration in value chain development of palm oil, including downstream, higher value-added palm-based products, as well as agreed for structured engagement on timely resolution of market access matters.

PM Modi and PM Anwar also applauded the formalisation of the Malaysia–India Digital Council (MIDC), recognising its potential as a key platform to advance digital cooperation, foster innovation, and explore collaborative projects in areas such as fintech, e-governance, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and emerging technologies. They emphasised that MIDC will serve as a strategic mechanism to strengthen bilateral digital engagement and support the digital transformation agendas of both countries.

In the energy sector, the leaders noted the significant strides made by PETRONAS and Gentari in India’s renewable energy and green hydrogen landscape. In this regard, both leaders underscored the vast potential for further collaboration in large scale solar energy initiatives, leveraging Malaysia’s expertise to drive clean energy solutions and achieve mutual net-zero ambitions. "Malaysia appreciates India’s initiative in establishing the International Solar Alliance (ISA)," stated MFA Malaysia.

The prime ministers emphasised the importance of deepening cooperation to strengthen the semiconductor value chain focusing on technological innovation, workforce development, and supply chain stability to build a resilient and competitive ecosystem. To this effect, they commended the cooperation initiatives underway, including cooperation between IIT- Madras Global and Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia and between the Indian Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) and Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA).

In terms of defence and security cooperation, both leaders appreciated India's steadfast engagement in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus framework and welcomed the co-chairmanship with Malaysia of the Counter-Terrorism Working Group for the 2024-2027 term. They also extended an invitation to all ADMM-Plus members to participate in the forthcoming Expert Working Group on Counter Terrorism Table-Top Exercise (EWG CT TTX), co-chaired by India and Malaysia, and scheduled to be hosted by Malaysia in 2026.

Both leaders also expressed satisfaction with the establishment of cooperation between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the Republic of India under the Inaugural Malaysia-India Security Dialogue, platform to discuss cooperation and mutual assistance on security matters.

On the regional and international front, both sides reiterated their commitment to cooperation on broader geopolitical and peace efforts, alongside closer diplomatic engagement, with PM Anwar sharing that these discussions go beyond normal pirate attitudes and diplomatic exchanges, but an exchange between true friends, one that is full of trust and understanding.

On the healthcare front, both PM Anwar and PM Modi committed to exploring health initiatives to address critical medical needs across the region. Malaysia is committed to addressing the necessary arrangements to enable the future deployment of Traditional Indian Medicine (TIM) experts to Malaysia under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, and is engaging in active consultations with India.

"This will facilitate the resumption of TIM services at selected Ministry of Health hospitals, complementing allopathic medicine as we move towards an integrated and holistic model of care."

The leaders noted the ongoing bilateral cooperation in the area of affordable healthcare and medicine and welcomed the discussions between both sides on cooperation in the area of drug regulation, recognition of pharmacopoeia and recognition of nursing services. A signing of the MoU between the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, India and the University of Cyberjaya, Malaysia in October 2025, was also executed to promote research collaboration, training and academic exchanges in homeopathy.

Both leaders highlighted their shared dedication to biodiversity conservation, highlighting Malaysia’s role as a founding member of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting and conserving the big cat species of the world including in Malaysia and India through enhanced bilateral cooperation in areas such as research and development, capacity building, technology transfer and the sharing of best practices. 

Recognising the vulnerability of both countries to natural and man-made disasters, both PM Anwar and PM Modi stressed on the need to strengthen disaster cooperation. This includes sharing of expertise, training of personnel in disaster management and search-and-rescue techniques, and conducting joint exercises.

Such efforts will be pursued under the MoU on Cooperation in Disaster Management between the National Disaster Management Authorities of both countries. Both prime ministers acknowledged the importance of relevant regional and international initiatives, including the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), in promoting international cooperation in disaster risk reduction and resilience. 

Both prime ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation in multilateral fora, including United Nations, and support reforms of international institutions. They pledged to work together to enhance multilateralism, reflective of contemporary realities so as to make international organisations, including the UNSC, more representative.

Reflecting the strong spirit of mutual support in multilateral forums, the two leaders discussed mutual support for various international candidatures. India deeply appreciated Malaysia’s support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UNSC.

They also welcomed the signing of the MoU on Cooperation in Combating and Preventing Corruption; MoU on Disaster Management; MoC on Cooperation in promoting Social Security Programmes and Activities for Indian citizens as Insured Persons in Malaysia; as well as the Agreement on Audio-Visual Co-Production.

The two leaders reiterated their commitment to respecting freedom of navigation and overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce, based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, and urged all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including UNCLOS 1982.

In the spirit of friendship, PM Anwar also expressed Malaysia's approval to open the Indian Consulate in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

In separate Facebook post, PM Anwar said: "This bilateral friendship continues to be strengthened through increasingly meaningful cooperation in the fields of economic, digital, technology and citizen exchange, aligning with the future development aspirations of the two countries.

"In a world that is increasingly plagued with global uncertainties and challenges, Malaysia and India continue to be the voice that prioritises dialogue, cooperation and humanitarian values. In fact, friendship between countries is judged not in words, but in what extent the cooperation brings real benefits to the lives of the people."

Both leaders also expressed their commitment to promoting a free, open, rules-based, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Both sides welcomed deepening of efforts to implement the ‘ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) for Peace, Stability and Prosperity in the Region’ through enhanced cooperation between the AOIP and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), including concrete initiatives towards implementing the AOIP’s areas of cooperation.

READ MORE: India Budget 2026-27: What HR and business leaders need to know

Lead image / PM Narendra Modi's Facebook