In a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties, Malaysian Prime Minister Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim met with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit. The discussion focused on deepening trade and investment cooperation, alongside the proposed establishment of a campus of the renowned Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Malaysia.
In a statement issued following the meeting, Anwar said that they had explored the vast potential for enhancing strategic collaboration between Malaysia and India across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, digital technology, and defence.
YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim also expressed his appreciation for the interest shown by Indian companies in investing in forward-looking sectors in Malaysia, such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and aerospace. He added that both countries remain committed to deepening people-to-people ties through cultural, tourism, and educational exchanges — including the proposed establishment of an IIT campus in Malaysia.
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are esteemed institutions known for their excellence in engineering and technology education in India. During the meeting, both Prime Ministers also underscored the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability, and voiced their support for fair and peaceful solutions to global issues, including the situations in Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir.
YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim further noted that Malaysia welcomes initiatives aimed at enhancing ASEAN–India relations, particularly with the upcoming ASEAN–India Summit in October, reflecting a shared commitment to cooperation for mutual benefit.
Dato’ Seri Anwar expressed hope that the close relationship between Malaysia and India would continue to flourish for the prosperity and well-being of both nations. He, who also serves as Malaysia’s Finance Minister, described the meeting as brief yet impactful, highlighting the substance and significance of their discussions. The two leaders previously met at the 21st ASEAN–India Summit held in Laos last year.
At the recent meeting, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar was joined by Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, while India was represented by its Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar.
Malaysia currently stands as India’s third-largest trading partner within ASEAN, with bilateral trade reaching US\$20.02 billion (RM84.5 billion) in the 2023–2024 period. This figure represents approximately 17 percent of India’s total trade with ASEAN nations.
Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived on Saturday to participate in the BRICS Summit, hosted by Brazil, following an invitation from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Malaysia officially joined BRICS as a Partner Country on January 1 this year.
Source: Malay Mail
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