KUALA LUMPUR: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (pic) will arrive here today on an official visit at the invitation of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Wisma Putra said the visit is to reciprocate the Prime Minister’s official visit to India last August, adding that Modi’s trip is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations and foster enhanced cooperation in areas of mutual benefit.
“It will also build upon the strong foundation of friendship since the setting up of diplomatic relations in 1957, and the elevation of our ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year,” it said in a statement, Bernama reported.
Modi will be accorded an official welcome at the Perdana Putra Complex, Putrajaya, tomorrow followed by a bilateral meeting with Anwar.
Wisma Putra said both leaders are expected to take stock of Malaysia-India bilateral relations and explore further collaboration, mainly in the fields of trade and investment, defence and security, labour, tourism, connectivity, agriculture and education.
Their discussion will also include regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Following the meeting, both leaders are scheduled to witness the exchange of several memorandums of understanding related to combating and preventing corruption, standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers and disaster management, audio-visual production and a memorandum of collaboration in the field of labour.
They will also witness exchanges of notes in the sectors of semiconductors, healthcare, national security and vocational education and training, besides an exchange of letters on United Nations peacekeeping cooperation, and submission of a framework agreement on International Big Cat Alliance.
Anwar is also scheduled to host an official luncheon in honour of Modi.
The Indian leader will be accompanied by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and senior government officials.
In 2025, total trade between Malaysia and India reached RM79.49bil (US$18.59bil.
Malaysia’s total exports to India amounted to RM52.30bil (US$12.24bil) with total imports at RM27.19bil (US$6.35 bil).
Key exports comprised palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products and electrical and electronic products, while imports mainly consisted of agricultural, petroleum and chemical products.
India is Malaysia’s largest trading partner in the South Asian region.
