Vow zero tolerance on terrorism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held wide-ranging talks in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, reaffirming their commitment to deepen bilateral ties across critical sectors and to jointly combat terrorism. The meeting resulted in the signing of 11 agreements, including a framework pact to enhance cooperation in the semiconductor industry, reflecting both nations’ intent to expand collaboration in advanced manufacturing, defence, energy, health, and food security.
Modi emphasized that India and Malaysia are “maritime neighbours” with centuries-old ties, describing the relationship as “special” and rooted in strategic trust. He reiterated India’s uncompromising stance on terrorism, declaring: “Our message on terrorism is clear; no double standards, no compromise.” Both leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism, and pledged to counter radicalisation, violent extremism, and the financing of terrorism. They also resolved to prevent misuse of emerging technologies for terrorist purposes, while strengthening intelligence sharing and maritime security cooperation.
On the economic front, Modi and Ibrahim welcomed initiatives to promote trade settlement in local currencies — the Indian Rupee and Malaysian Ringgit — which they described as a “remarkable” step toward economic transformation. Modi also announced the establishment of an Indian Consulate General in Malaysia to further facilitate ties. Ibrahim praised India’s rapid economic growth, calling it “one spectacular rise in the international eco and trade scene,” and expressed optimism about Malaysia benefiting from closer collaboration.
The talks highlighted shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific, with both leaders reaffirming ASEAN’s centrality in regional peace and stability. Modi noted that the Indo-Pacific is emerging as the world’s growth engine and stressed India’s commitment to working with ASEAN partners, including Malaysia, to expedite the review of the ASEAN-India Trade Agreement (AITIGA).
In multilateral forums, Malaysia extended support for India’s bid for permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Both leaders agreed on the need for reform of global institutions to reflect contemporary realities and pledged to enhance cooperation within the UN and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). They also discussed mutual support for international candidatures, underscoring the spirit of partnership in global governance.
Concluding the talks, Modi expressed confidence that India and Malaysia’s growing friendship would play a vital role in ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, while Ibrahim reaffirmed his commitment to realizing Malaysia’s development goals alongside India’s vision of becoming a developed nation.
India and Malaysia connected by ‘shared affection’ for Tamil: PM Modi in Malaysia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India and Malaysia are connected by a shared affection for the Tamil, underlining the strong presence of the language in education, media, and cultural life in the country.
Malaysia is home to nearly three million people of Indian descent, the second largest in the world, with an overwhelming majority of Tamil origin.
“India and Malaysia are also connected by a shared affection for the Tamil language. In Malaysia, the strong and vibrant presence of Tamil is visible in education, media, and cultural life,” PM Modi said while speaking to the media.
“I am confident that today’s audio-visual agreement will bring our hearts even closer through films and music, especially Tamil cinema,” Modi added.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi pointed out that his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim is a “big fan” of MGR, just like “several of us in India”, as a song from the Tamil actor’s movie ‘Naalai Namathe’ was presented during a lunch hosted for the Indian leader.
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, was a popular Indian actor, director and producer who founded Tamil Nadu’s All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagami (AIADMK) party and went on to become Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister. He died in 1987.
‘Naalai Namadhe’ is one of the actor’s several blockbusters, released in 1975.
“At the lunch hosted by my friend, PM Anwar Ibrahim, one of the songs sung was Naalai Namathe, from a movie starring the great MGR!,” PM Modi posted on X.
Modi added that “PM Anwar Ibrahim, like several of us in India, is a big fan of MGR!”