New Delhi: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim was greeted with a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday morning, marking the start of his three-day State Visit to India. This visit is his first official trip to India since he took office in November 2022.

Upon arrival, PM Ibrahim was warmly received by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted this as a significant beginning to an important visit, emphasizing Malaysia's role as a key partner in India's Act East Policy.

During his visit, PM Ibrahim paid tribute at Raj Ghat and will meet with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The leaders are scheduled for restricted talks at Hyderabad House, followed by a one-on-one meeting where they will sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). PM Modi will also host a luncheon for PM Ibrahim.

In the afternoon, PM Ibrahim will deliver a lecture at Sapru House titled "Towards a Rising Global South: Leveraging Malaysia-India Ties" and will engage with the Malaysian community at the High Commission of Malaysia in India.

Accompanied by key ministers including Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz, PM Ibrahim's visit underscores the strong ties between Malaysia and India. The bilateral relationship was upgraded to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership in 2015, a status both nations aim to further develop.

The visit will also include a roundtable with Indian industry leaders and a courtesy call to President Droupadi Murmu.

Malaysia is home to 2.75 million People of Indian Origin (PIO), making it the second largest PIO community globally. This community plays a significant role in Malaysia's cultural and economic landscape.

The two countries are also focused on addressing concerns related to illegal immigration and worker exploitation. India and Malaysia have substantial economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching $20.01 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24. Malaysia stands as India's 16th largest trading partner, while India is among the top ten trading partners for Malaysia.

As both nations approach the second decade of their Enhanced Strategic Partnership, PM Ibrahim’s visit is expected to further strengthen the bilateral ties and explore new avenues for cooperation.

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