Brasilia: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in discussions on trade, investment, and educational collaboration, including a proposed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in Malaysia, during their meeting at the 17th BRICS Summit.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar highlighted the potential for expanding strategic cooperation between Malaysia and India across sectors such as trade, investment, digital technology, and defense. He noted Indian firms’ interest in investing in Malaysia’s digital economy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and aerospace industry.

Anwar also emphasized the commitment to strengthening cultural, tourism, and educational ties, particularly through the proposed IIT campus. IITs are renowned engineering and technology institutions in India.

The leaders underscored the importance of regional peace and stability, advocating for peaceful resolutions to international issues, including those in Palestine and Jammu-Kashmir. Anwar expressed support for enhancing ASEAN-India relations, with the ASEAN-India Summit slated for October.

The meeting, described by Anwar as brief yet substantial, marked their first since the 21st ASEAN-India Summit. Anwar was accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, while India’s Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar was also present.

Malaysia stands as India’s third-largest trading partner in ASEAN, with trade valued at US$20.02 billion in 2023-2024, making up about 17% of India’s ASEAN trade. Anwar attended the BRICS summit on an invitation from Brazil’s President Luiz In¡cio Lula da Silva, marking Malaysia’s official partnership with BRICS from January 1 this year.