Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to visit India from August 19 to 21, 2024, marking his first visit to New Delhi as Prime Minister. During his visit, India and Malaysia are expected to finalize several significant agreements, including a key trade pact and a mobility agreement.

The trade agreement aims to boost Malaysian investments in India, while the mobility pact will focus on protecting the rights of Indian professionals working in Malaysia. Additional agreements on human resources and tourism are also anticipated to be discussed.

This visit is part of India's broader Act East Policy. Earlier this month, New Delhi hosted the Prime Minister of Vietnam, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning trips to Thailand and Singapore on September 4 and 5.

The meeting between Ibrahim and Modi on August 20 is expected to address various global and regional issues, including the situation in Palestine, Malaysia's interest in joining BRICS as a partner country, and the ongoing South China Sea disputes. Malaysia, a claimant in the South China Sea, will provide its perspective on the region’s tensions, especially with China's activities. Additionally, both leaders will discuss the Palestinian issue, a cause Malaysia strongly supports.

What's on the Agenda for Anwar Ibrahim's Visit to India:

• Trade Pact: To promote Malaysian investments in India.
• Mobility Agreement: To protect the rights of Indian professionals working in Malaysia.
• Human Resources Agreement: Details yet to be disclosed, but expected to cover workforce collaboration and development.
• Tourism Pact: Expected to enhance tourism cooperation between the two countries.
• Regional and Global Issues: Discussions will likely include:
• The situation in Palestine.
• Malaysia’s interest in joining BRICS as a partner country.
• The South China Sea disputes and Malaysia's perspective on China's activities.

Ibrahim, who has visited India in various roles before, is keen to strengthen ties with New Delhi. Despite a generally positive defense partnership, political relations have sometimes been strained, particularly during Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure, due to his stance on Kashmir. With Mahathir's departure, there are hopes for improved relations.

Malaysia is India’s third-largest trading partner in the ASEAN region, while India is Malaysia’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia. Malaysia is also the 28th largest investor in India, with $1.17 billion invested between April 2000 and March 2023. Approximately 70 Malaysian companies, including joint ventures, operate in India across various sectors such as infrastructure, telecommunications, oil and gas, power, tourism, and human resources. Malaysian construction firms have a significant presence in the country.

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