Putrajaya: Malaysia and India are set to enhance their cooperation following the elevation of their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in August 2024, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar emphasized the significance of India as a vital partner for Malaysia, with ongoing collaboration in sectors such as trade, investment, education, technology, and tourism.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar highlighted the importance of recent bilateral meetings and exchanges of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) as crucial steps in advancing and deepening relations between the two nations. Malaysia and India have shared a long-standing relationship since 1957, which was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024. The partnership aims to bolster cooperation across various fields, including trade and investment, semiconductors, the digital economy, local currency trade, connectivity, and energy.
Anwar made these remarks during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Seri Perdana Complex. Modi is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia. The leaders also witnessed the exchange of several bilateral documents to further institutional cooperation.
The partnership between Malaysia and India is comprehensive, with both countries committed to swiftly implementing their agreements. Anwar noted that the exchange of 11 documents, including MoUs, goes beyond typical bilateral arrangements, covering areas like peacekeeping cooperation, semiconductors, healthcare, and security cooperation.
In the field of education, Anwar noted significant growth in student exchanges, with many Malaysians studying in India and an increasing number of Indian students choosing Malaysia. Tourism and connectivity were also highlighted as key areas for future cooperation, with a marked increase in travel between the two nations over the past year. Anwar expressed hopes for continued globalization and increased air connectivity.
India is Malaysia's largest trading partner in the South Asian region, with total trade between the two countries reaching RM79.49 billion (US$18.59 billion) in 2025. Malaysia's exports amounted to RM52.3 billion (US$12.24 billion), while imports totaled RM27.19 billion (US$6.35 billion). Key exports included palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products, as well as electrical and electronic products, while imports mainly consisted of agricultural, petroleum, and chemical products.