Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kuala Lumpur on February 7, 2026, where he was warmly received by Malaysian leaders and later addressed the Indian community, highlighting strong India–Malaysia ties.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Malaysia from February 7 to 8, 2026, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, H.E. Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim. This is Prime Minister Modi’s third visit to Malaysia since 2015 and aims to further strengthen bilateral relations.
On arrival in Kuala Lumpur on February 7, 2026, Prime Minister Modi was warmly received by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a special gesture of friendship. He was also welcomed by Malaysia’s Minister of Human Resources, Dato’ Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, and Deputy Foreign Minister, Dato’ Lukanisman bin Awang Sauni. The reception was followed by a colorful cultural welcome that reflected the shared heritage of India and Malaysia.
The visit focuses on strengthening the India–Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was established in 2024. It also reflects India’s commitment to its Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific vision, and Vision MAHASAGAR, with Malaysia being a key partner in the region.
Later the same day, Prime Minister Modi addressed the Indian diaspora at a community reception in Kuala Lumpur. He received a rousing welcome from members of the Indian community. A special cultural performance by 800 artistes showcased Indian traditional dances and entered the Malaysian Book of Records as the largest such performance in the country. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also joined the event as a special guest.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi thanked the Indian community for their warm welcome and praised their contribution to Malaysia’s growth and prosperity. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to the welfare of Indians living in Malaysia and to strengthening people-to-people ties. He highlighted the recognition of Diwali by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, calling it a symbol of shared culture and diversity. He also paid tribute to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the history of the Azad Hind Fauj in Malaysia.
The Prime Minister spoke about India’s rapid progress in recent years, including growth in infrastructure, green development, digital technology, and fintech. He noted that India has become the world’s fourth-largest economy and shared that UPI-based digital payments will soon be available in Malaysia to boost tourism and trade.
As part of cultural cooperation, Prime Minister Modi announced the setting up of a Thiruvalluvar Center at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, along with Thiruvalluvar scholarships to promote academic exchanges. He also announced that India will open its first Consulate in Malaysia, a move welcomed by the Indian community.
Malaysia is home to over 2.9 million people of Indian origin, making it the third-largest Indian diaspora in the world. Recent initiatives for their welfare include the extension of OCI card facilities and additional funding for the Indian Scholarships Trust Fund.
Source: MEA India
