**Executive Summary**
The document is the English rendering of a press statement made by the Prime Minister of India during a joint press statement with the Prime Minister of Malaysia on February 8, 2026. It highlights the strengthening relationship between India and Malaysia, focusing on economic, security, and cultural cooperation. The document also mentions the importance of the Indo-Pacific region and India's commitment to ASEAN centrality.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Bilateral Relations:**
* The relationship between India and Malaysia is special due to shared heritage, democratic values, and maritime proximity.
* Cooperation has grown in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, digital economy, biotechnology, and IT.
* Mutual investments and people-to-people ties have increased.
* Cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, and maritime security will be strengthened.
* Defense collaboration will be broadened.
* **Economic Partnerships:**
* Partnerships will advance in semiconductors, health, and food security, alongside AI and digital technologies.
* The CEO Forum has opened new avenues for trade and investment.
* There is a resolve to bring unprecedented speed and depth to the partnership.
* The review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) should be completed at the earliest.
* **Cultural and Social Ties:**
* Measures like the Social Security Agreement for Indian workers in Malaysia, gratis e-visas, and the implementation of UPI in Malaysia are aimed at benefiting citizens.
* India and Malaysia are united by a shared love for the Tamil language, with a strong presence of Tamil in Malaysia.
* An audio-visual agreement will bring the hearts closer through films and music, especially Tamil cinema.
* Opportunities for university exchanges, start-up connections, and skill development among youth are being expanded.
* A new consulate in Malaysia will be opened.
* **Regional and Global Issues:**
* India accords the highest priority to ASEAN centrality and congratulates Malaysia on its successful ASEAN chairmanship.
* India will further broaden its relations with ASEAN.
* The importance of growing friendship between India and Malaysia is of immense importance to both nations amidst global instability.
* Reforms in global institutions are necessary to address today’s challenges.
* Support all efforts for peace and a message on terrorism is clear.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Government/Prime Minister:**
* **Impact:** Reinforces commitment to strengthening ties with Malaysia, enhancing India's presence in the Indo-Pacific region, and promoting international cooperation.
* **Action Required:** Continue diplomatic efforts to realize the vision of a developed India through collaboration with Malaysia.
**Malaysian Government/Prime Minister:**
* **Impact:** Acknowledges the warm relationship with India and the potential for mutual growth and development, particularly within the ASEAN framework.
* **Action Required:** Maintain commitment to India-Malaysia relations to work together and realize the vision of a prosperous Malaysia.
**Indian Diaspora in Malaysia:**
* **Impact:** Improved welfare due to measures such as the Social Security Agreement, gratis e-visas, and UPI implementation.
* **Action Required:** Utilize available resources and support systems to benefit from the strengthened relationship between India and Malaysia.
**Citizens of India and Malaysia:**
* **Impact:** Improved ease of travel, commerce, and cultural exchange due to strengthened bilateral relations and agreements.
* **Action Required:** Take advantage of the opportunities for travel, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
Key Entities Referenced
Malaysia: Country with strong ties to India, focus of trade, security, and cultural cooperation.
India: Country focused on strengthening relations with Malaysia across various sectors.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim: Prime Minister of Malaysia; central figure in India-Malaysia relations
ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian Nations; partnership with which India accords the highest priority
Social Security Agreement for Indian workers in Malaysia: Agreement to ease living and working conditions of Indian workers in Malaysia
Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of Press statement by the
Prime Minister during the joint press statement
with the Prime Minister of Malaysia
Posted On: 08 FEB 2026 10:33AM by PIB Delhi
Your Excellency, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim,
Distinguished delegates from both nations,
Friends from the media,
Namaskar!
Selamat pagi!
First of all, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my close friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, for the
warm welcome. Last year, I could not visit Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit. But I had promised my dear
friend that I would come to Malaysia at the earliest opportunity. And today, in my very first foreign visit of
the year 2026, I am here in Malaysia.
Friends,
The relationship between India and Malaysia is truly special. We are maritime neighbors. For centuries,
our peoples have shared deep and affectionate bonds. Today, Malaysia is the second-largest country in the
world with a population of Indian origin. Our civilizations are connected through shared cultural heritage
and democratic values.
Friends,
In recent years, our ties have gained new momentum. My friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has
played a special role in this progress.
Our cooperation has grown stronger in energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing. Mutual investments
have increased in the digital economy, biotechnology, and IT. Tourism and people-to-people ties have
deepened further. Inspired by these achievements, today we have resolved to bring unprecedented speed
and depth to our partnership.
Friends,
In the field of security, we will strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, and
maritime security. We will also broaden our defense collaboration.
Alongside AI and digital technologies, we will advance partnerships in semiconductors, health, and food
security. The CEO Forum held today has opened new avenues for trade and investment. With strategic
trust, we will pave the way for economic transformation.
Friends,Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet members of the Indian diaspora in Malaysia. Prime Minister
Anwar Ibrahim graced the gathering with his presence, adding to its prestige. The three million-strong
diaspora is a living bridge between our nations and a great source of strength. The steps taken for their
welfare provide a human foundation to our relationship.
Measures such as the Social Security Agreement for Indian workers in Malaysia, gratis e-visas for
tourism, and the implementation of India’s digital payment interface UPI in Malaysia will make life easier
for citizens of both countries. After all, any partnership is truly successful only when its benefits reach the
people directly.
Friends,
India and Malaysia are also united by a shared love for the Tamil language. The strong and vibrant
presence of Tamil in Malaysia is visible in education, media, and cultural life. I am confident that today’s
audio-visual agreement will bring our hearts closer through films and music, especially Tamil cinema.
We are also expanding opportunities for university exchanges, start-up connections, and skill development
among our youth. To support our growing ties, we are opening a new consulate in Malaysia.
Friends,
The Indo-Pacific region is emerging as the engine of global growth. We remain committed to
development, peace, and stability across the Indo-Pacific in partnership with ASEAN. India accords the
highest priority to ASEAN centrality. I once again warmly congratulate Malaysia on its successful
ASEAN chairmanship.
With the support of friendly nations like Malaysia, India will further broaden its relations with ASEAN.
We agree that the review of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) should be completed
at the earliest.
Friends,
Today, we also held meaningful discussions on regional and global issues. In this atmosphere of global
instability, the growing friendship between India and Malaysia is of immense importance to both nations.
We share the view that reforms in global institutions are necessary to address today’s challenges. We will
continue to support all efforts for peace. And our message on terrorism is clear: No double standards. No
compromise.
Excellency,
We deeply appreciate your commitment to India–Malaysia relations. Let us work together to realize your
vision of a prosperous Malaysia and our resolve for a developed India.
Once again, I sincerely thank you for your friendship, your warm welcome, and your gracious hospitality.
We look forward to welcoming you in India.
“Thank you very much.
Jumpa Lagi!
****
MJPS/VJ/ST
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