09/02/2026

MONDAY | FEB 9, 2026

2 Malaysia, India to boost cooperation in key sectors

Anwar, Modi condemn all forms of terrorism PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have strongly condemned all forms of terrorism, calling for coordinated global action to combat it in a sustained and comprehensive manner. In a joint statement released by the Foreign Ministry yesterday, both leaders agreed to address radicalisation and violent extremism, curb the financing of terrorism and prevent the misuse of emerging technologies for terrorist purposes through cooperation in information sharing, exchange of best practices and capacity-building initiatives. “Recognising the linkages between terrorism and transnational organised crime, the two leaders agreed to cooperate in the area of transnational organised crime, including through the sharing of information and best practices.” They also mentioned India’s engagement in the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) framework and co-chairmanship with Malaysia of the Counter-Terrorism Working Group for the 2024-2027 term. “The leaders extend an invitation to all ADMM Plus members to participate in the forthcoming Expert Working Group on Counter Terrorism Table-Top Exercise co-chaired by India and Malaysia, which is scheduled to be hosted by Malaysia in 2026.” Other areas of cooperation highlighted in the statement included the fifth edition of the India Malaysia joint military exercise “Harimau Sakti” held in Rajasthan last December as well as enhanced maritime collaboration through naval visits and exercises such as Samudra Laksamana, Milan and the Asean-India Maritime Exercise. Both leaders encouraged the continued expansion of India-Malaysia maritime cooperation through regular goodwill and operational deployments. “In this regard, they expressed appreciation for the visit of INS Sahyadri to Kemaman, Malaysia in October 2025 and of the hydrographic vessel INS Sandhayak to Port Klang in July 2025.” On sustainable development, they reaffirmed their commitment to biodiversity conservation. – Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and India have reaffirmed mutual support for their roles in BRICS, underscoring the cooperation as a strategic milestone towards enhancing a more balanced and representative international order. Malaysia has welcomed India’s 2026 BRICS chairmanship. Noting Malaysia’s aspiration to become a member of the grouping, India reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Malaysia’s role as a BRICS partner country. “Both leaders recognised this cooperation as a strategic milestone towards enhancing a more balanced and representative international order. “They also shared the view that such engagements provide vital platforms for economies to contribute constructively to equitable global governance and sustainable development.” Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting in Putrajaya to deepen ties and advance the wide-ranging cooperation between Malaysia and India. According to a joint statement, both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in multilateral fora, including the United Nations, and to support reforms of international institutions. They pledged to work together to enhance multilateralism reflecting contemporary realities in order to make international organisations, including the United Nations Security Council, more representative. Modi and Anwar also reiterated their commitment to respecting freedom of navigation and overflight, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, and urging all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law. – Bernama Leaders reaffirm support for BRICS

cornerstone of bilateral ties, with many Malaysians having been educated in India and a rising number of Indian students studying in Malaysia. He praised the global recognition achieved by Indian centres of excellence, adding that Malaysia would explore opportunities to send more students to India in select disciplines. He said tourism and connectivity were pivotal areas for future cooperation, following a marked rise in travel between the two nations over the past year. “We have seen a significant increase in travel and connectivity during the past year. We hope to benefit from the ‘Malaysia to Asia’ and ‘Incredible India’ initiatives to increase globalisation and air connectivity.” Anwar pointed out that India is a vast and diverse country with rich history, culture, arts and technology. Malaysia’s exports to India amounted to RM52.3 billion in 2025, comprising mainly palm oil and related agricultural products and electrical and electronic goods. Imports from India totalled RM27.19 billion, primarily agricultural, petroleum and chemical products. On regional and international issues, Anwar expressed appreciation for Modi’s consistent support for global peace efforts, including in Ukraine, Russia and the Middle East, particularly Gaza.

o Agreements signed extend beyond traditional bilateral arrangements and cover areas such as peacekeeping, semiconductor cooperation, healthcare and security: PM

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

people exchanges. Anwar said both governments had shown strong commitment to the swift implementation of agreed initiatives with the exchange of 11 documents, including MoUs and letters of exchange. “These agreements extend beyond traditional bilateral arrangements and cover areas such as peacekeeping, semiconductor cooperation, healthcare and security.” He said Malaysia stands to benefit from India’s rapid economic growth, underlining the need to expand bilateral trade beyond the US$18.59 billion (RM79.49 billion) recorded in 2025. Anwar also highlighted the growing use of local currencies, saying Bank Negara Malaysia and the Central Bank of India are working closely to facilitate transactions using the ringgit and rupee. “Similarly, local currency settlement will be extended to the digital connectivity, energy and semiconductor sectors.” Anwar added that education remains a

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia and India are set to accelerate cooperation in sectors such as trade, semiconductors, digital economy, education, tourism and national security following high-level talks between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. Speaking at a joint media conference yesterday, Anwar described the bilateral meeting as “vital, strategic and critical” in advancing Malaysia-India relations, adding that the long-standing partnership dating back to 1957 was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024. “This cooperation is truly comprehensive,” he said, highlighting collaboration in areas including trade and investment, local currency settlement, connectivity, energy, agriculture, food security, defence, education, technical and vocational training, healthcare, tourism, culture and people-to

Modi inspecting a guard-of-honour before leaving for home yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

New Delhi to set up consulate in Kota Kinabalu PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will soon have a new Indian consulate in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim lent his support to India’s plan, highlighting the growing depth of bilateral ties. Both leaders said the new diplomatic mission would strengthen people-to-people links, enhance consular services and boost economic cooperation, particularly in East Malaysia.

post on X, stating that the new consulate would further bring the two nations together. India’s External Affairs Ministry said the consulate would strengthen ongoing cooperation between India and Malaysia and expand its outreach to its diaspora here. Officials said the mission would serve as a key platform for enhancing bilateral engagement and nurturing closer ties between the peoples of both nations. – By KIRTINEE RAMESH

The consulate is expected to facilitate closer collaboration in trade, investment, tourism, education and cultural exchanges while also providing greater support for the Indian community and businesses operating in Sabah and neighbouring regions. Modi confirmed the development in a

The announcement came during a joint media conference yesterday between Anwar and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “As a sign of our strong relations, I have agreed to support India’s decision to open a consulate in Kota Kinabalu.”