India, Malaysia renew pledges to boost trade, collaboration

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim renewed promises on Sunday to “promote trade and explore potential collaborations in semiconductors, defense and other areas.”

Modi is on a two-day visit to the Southeast Asian country; This is the two countries’ first visit since they upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in August 2024.

Anwar said the partnership includes deep collaborations in many areas, including trade and investments, food security, defence, health and tourism.

“It is truly comprehensive and we believe we can take it forward and implement it quickly with the determination of both our governments,” he said at a press conference after hosting Modi at his official residence in the administrative capital Putrajaya.

Following their meeting, Anwar and Modi also witnessed the exchange of 11 cooperation agreements, including on semiconductors, disaster management and peacekeeping.

Anwar said India and Malaysia will continue their efforts to promote the use of local currency settlement in cross-border activities and expressed hope that bilateral trade will surpass last year’s $18.6 billion.

Anwar said Malaysia would also support India’s efforts to open a consulate in the Malaysian state of Sabah on the island of ‌Borneo.

(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; ‌Edited by Raju Gopalakrishnan)