Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described the evolving India–Malaysia relationship with the guiding word “IMPACT” — India-Malaysia Partnership for Advancing Collective Transformation, as he addressed the Indian diaspora at the community event “Selamat Datang Modi Ji” in Kuala Lumpur.
On a two-day official visit — his first to Malaysia since bilateral ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024 — Modi concluded Day One with a strong emphasis on people-to-people bonds, cultural links, and a forward-looking partnership agenda.
Kata kunci perkongsian India-Malaysia ialah “IMPACT” ! pic.twitter.com/eDw7E5qMU6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 7, 2026
Diaspora as ‘Living Bridge’
Addressing the gathering shortly after his arrival, Modi called the Indian-origin community a “living bridge” connecting the two nations. He thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for attending the celebration, recalling his warm personal welcome at the airport and accompanying him to the venue — gestures he said reflected respect and affection toward India and its people.
The Prime Minister lauded a record cultural showcase involving over 800 dancers, saying the performance would be remembered for years, and highlighted his longstanding friendship with Anwar Ibrahim, praising his reformist outlook and leadership as ASEAN Chair in 2025.
Festive Greetings and Cultural Bonds
Calling the visit his first foreign trip of 2026, Modi expressed delight at interacting with the diaspora during the festive season. He extended greetings for Sankranti, Pongal, Thaipusam, and upcoming observances including Shivaratri, Ramzan, and Hari Raya.
He noted that Malaysia hosts the world’s second-largest Indian-origin population, pointing to shared cultural and culinary links — from dishes like Roti Canai and Malabar Parotta to drinks such as Teh Tarik — as well as the popularity of Indian cinema and music. Modi also referenced Anwar Ibrahim’s admiration for Tamil songs associated with legendary actor-leader MGR as a sign of deep cultural familiarity.
Historical Contributions and Heritage
Recalling historical ties, Modi thanked the diaspora for supporting India during the 2001 Gujarat earthquake and acknowledged their role in the freedom struggle, including participation in Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army. He noted that Malaysia’s Indian Cultural Centre has been renamed after Netaji and saluted community organizations preserving his legacy.
Highlighting cultural continuity, Modi said more than 500 schools in Malaysia teach Indian languages and praised the influence of figures such as Thiruvalluvar and Swami Vivekananda. He compared Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves with those in Palani, noting shared spiritual traditions, and pointed to the vibrancy of Garba and Sikh cultural practices in Malaysia.
Reaffirming Tamil as a global cultural gift, he cited Tamil contributions to India’s public life and announced plans to establish a Thiruvalluvar Centre, building on the existing Thiruvalluvar academic chair at the University of Malaya.
When the Malaysian PM says
‘India, Bharat’ and the hall erupts in applause, that’s respect.Top trading partners, diverse trade, and 1.5 million Indian visitors in 2025.
This is partnership with people at the centre. 🇮🇳✨ pic.twitter.com/IS9FzrEX7R
— Prakash (@Gujju_Er) February 7, 2026
Expanding Strategic Partnership
Turning to bilateral cooperation, Modi said ties were reaching new heights following Anwar Ibrahim’s 2024 visit to New Delhi that upgraded relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“Our guiding word is IMPACT — India-Malaysia Partnership for Advancing Collective Transformation. Our collaboration benefits both nations and humanity at large,” he said.
He highlighted India’s role in establishing Malaysia’s first and Asia’s largest insulin manufacturing facility, the presence of over 100 Indian IT firms generating employment, and the Malaysia-India Digital Council promoting digital cooperation. Modi also announced that India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system would soon be introduced in Malaysia.
The visit underscored expanding strategic, cultural, and technological engagement, with New Delhi positioning diaspora connections as a cornerstone of its outreach and Kuala Lumpur partnership.
