Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Malaysia for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening trade, defence and regional cooperation under India’s Act East Policy.

Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Malaysia on a two-day official visit, marking his first trip since India and Malaysia elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in August 2024.

During the visit, Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, focusing on expanding cooperation in trade, defence, security and regional affairs. Engagements with business leaders and a community event with the Indian diaspora are also part of the itinerary.

Trade is expected to be a central theme, with bilateral commerce currently valued at around $15 billion annually. Officials indicated that both sides are keen to explore new opportunities in investment and supply chains, aligning the partnership more closely with India’s Act East Policy.

Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian-origin community, which numbers nearly 2.9 million in Malaysia. In Brickfields—popularly known as “Little India”—members of the diaspora described the Prime Minister as a global leader capable of navigating complex international challenges.

Analysis: The visit underlines India’s intent to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia at a time of shifting regional dynamics. Beyond symbolism, the success of the trip will be measured by how effectively economic and security commitments translate into tangible outcomes for both countries. This assessment reflects analytical opinion; all factual details above are drawn from the original content.