Prime Minister Narendra Modi Departs for Malaysia on Two-Day Diplomatic Mission
Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a significant two-day visit to Malaysia on Saturday, February 7, 2026, departing from New Delhi. This high-profile diplomatic journey is centered on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation between the two nations.
Focus on Defence Collaboration and Strategic Partnership
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, a key agenda during the visit will be enhancing defence sector collaboration. Specific opportunities under discussion include the potential sale of Dornier aircraft, as well as maintenance services for Scorpene submarines and SU-30 fighter jets. These discussions highlight the deepening strategic and security ties between India and Malaysia.
This visit is particularly notable as it is Prime Minister Modi's third official trip to Malaysia and the first since bilateral relations were formally elevated to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" in August 2024. The relationship was previously upgraded to an "Enhanced Strategic Partnership" during PM Modi's 2015 visit, with diplomatic foundations laid as far back as 1957.
Engagement with the Indian Diaspora and Business Community
During his stay, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to interact extensively with the vibrant Indian diaspora in Malaysia, which numbers approximately 2.9 million people, making it the third-largest Indian community globally and the second-largest Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) community at 2.75 million. He will also meet with prominent business representatives to bolster economic and trade linkages.
Malaysia holds a pivotal position as an important partner for India within the ASEAN bloc and the broader Indo-Pacific region, serving as a key pillar of India's Act East Policy. The enduring friendship is symbolized by structures like the Torana Gate in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur—a gift from India inaugurated jointly by PM Modi and then-Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on November 23, 2015.
Historical Context and Recent Engagements
The elevation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was formalized during Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's visit to India from August 19-21, 2024. The two leaders have maintained regular contact, including a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6, 2025.
Further interactions include PM Modi's virtual participation in the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit hosted in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025, and a telephone conversation between the two prime ministers on October 22, 2025. These engagements underscore the continuous and multifaceted nature of the India-Malaysia relationship, which this visit aims to further consolidate and expand across defence, economic, and cultural spheres.
