Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived in New Delhi on Monday, August 19, 2024, for a three-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Malaysia and India. During his stay, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will sign multiple agreements and develop a "multi-sectoral cooperation agenda" to boost trade, strategic partnerships, and cultural ties between the two nations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

This visit marks Anwar Ibrahim's first official trip to India since assuming office as the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

The MEA outlined that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit, running from August 19 to August 21, will include several significant engagements. On August 20, he will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by a visit to Raj Ghat to pay respects to Mahatma Gandhi. He will then engage in bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi, who will also host a luncheon in his honor.

Later in the day, the Malaysian Prime Minister is expected to meet with President Droupadi Murmu. Additionally, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will hold talks with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during his visit.

India and Malaysia share deep-rooted historical and socio-cultural connections. In 2015, during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Kuala Lumpur, the relationship between the two countries was elevated to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership. As both nations approach the second decade of this partnership, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit is seen as a crucial step towards further strengthening the bilateral ties and setting a multi-sectoral cooperation agenda for the future.

Trade between India and Malaysia has been robust, with the two-way trade reaching USD 20.01 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal year. Malaysia is India’s 16th largest trading partner, while India ranks among the top 10 trading partners for Malaysia. Notably, Malaysia stands as India’s 3rd largest trading partner within the ASEAN region.

India’s key exports to Malaysia include mineral fuels, mineral oils, aluminum products, meat and edible meat products, iron and steel, copper goods, organic chemicals, and various machinery and electrical equipment. On the investment front, Malaysia is the 31st largest investor in India, with a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow of USD 3.3 billion. Additionally, Malaysian companies have announced investments worth USD 5 billion in renewable energy, particularly green hydrogen and ammonia, as well as infrastructure projects.

There are around 70 Malaysian companies operating in India, focusing on diverse sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, telecommunications, oil and gas, power plants, tourism, and human resources. Similarly, over 150 Indian companies, including 61 joint ventures and 3 public sector undertakings, have established a presence in Malaysia, investing in over 250 manufacturing projects worth more than USD 2.62 billion.

This visit by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to pave the way for further enhancing the dynamic and multifaceted relationship between India and Malaysia.

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