PM Modi Meets PM Anwar Ibrahim at BRICS Summit as India and Malaysia Deepen Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in New Delhi on September 12, 2026, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, with the two leaders reviewing the expanding India–Malaysia partnership across trade, defence, technology, infrastructure and regional cooperation.

Modi welcomed Anwar to India and appreciated Malaysia’s participation in the BRICS Summit as a Partner Country, reflecting Kuala Lumpur’s growing engagement with the grouping and its wider role in the evolving Global South architecture.

The two leaders reviewed progress following Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Malaysia in February 2026, taking stock of cooperation across a broad range of sectors. Discussions covered trade and investment, defence and security, semiconductors, infrastructure, the digital economy, energy, fintech, education, tourism and people-to-people ties.

A notable outcome of the meeting was Malaysia’s concurrence to the establishment of an Indian Consulate General in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The move is expected to strengthen India’s diplomatic and consular presence in East Malaysia and support deeper commercial, cultural and community engagement in the region.

The leaders also discussed regional and global issues of common concern, while Modi appreciated Malaysia’s continued support for strengthening ASEAN–India relations. Malaysia remains an important partner in India’s Act East Policy and in New Delhi’s wider engagement with Southeast Asia.

India and Malaysia have steadily expanded cooperation beyond their traditional economic and cultural links. Their partnership now includes defence exchanges, emerging technologies, digital payments, semiconductors, energy and infrastructure, making the relationship increasingly strategic in character.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the India–Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signalling continued momentum in bilateral ties following the engagements held earlier in 2026.

The September 12 meeting at the BRICS Summit also underlined the growing overlap between India’s engagement with ASEAN countries and its outreach through wider multilateral platforms such as BRICS. For New Delhi, Malaysia represents both a key Southeast Asian partner and an important bridge to deeper economic and strategic cooperation with the ASEAN region.