Daijiworld Media Network - Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 7: Highlighting India’s expanding global economic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that trust has emerged as India’s most powerful strength, positioning the country as a reliable partner for growth across the world.
Addressing the Indian community in Kuala Lumpur soon after arriving in Malaysia for a two-day visit, the Prime Minister said nations across regions are increasingly choosing India for trade and cooperation. “India is seen as a trusted partner for growth. Whether it is the UK, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Oman, the European Union or the United States, countries are signing trade deals with India. Trust has become India’s strongest currency,” he said.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was present at the event, having accompanied PM Modi from the airport in a symbolic gesture underscoring the warmth of bilateral ties.
PM Modi described IMPACT as the defining theme of India–Malaysia relations, explaining it as the India–Malaysia Partnership for Advancing Collective Transformation. He said India’s progress directly contributes to Malaysia’s and Asia’s broader growth. “India’s success is Malaysia’s success, and it is Asia’s success. That is why IMPACT guides our relationship,” he said.
The Prime Minister received a warm welcome on arrival, with Anwar Ibrahim personally greeting him at the airport along with senior Malaysian ministers. The reception featured cultural performances reflecting the shared civilisational and cultural links between the two countries.
The visit aims to further deepen the India–Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2024 and highlights India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Malaysia under its Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific vision, and Vision MAHASAGAR. This marks PM Modi’s third visit to Malaysia since 2015.
During his address, the Prime Minister noted that Malaysia hosts the world’s second-largest Indian-origin community, describing the diaspora as a living bridge between the two nations. He recalled mentioning the community in his radio programme Mann Ki Baat, sharing with Indians back home how more than 500 schools in Malaysia teach children in Indian languages.
“There is so much that connects Indian and Malaysian hearts,” PM Modi said, praising the community for preserving its traditions across generations. He highlighted the contributions of the Tamil diaspora, which has been present in Malaysia for centuries, and announced plans to establish a Thiruvalluvar Centre to further promote shared cultural heritage, building on the existing Thiruvalluvar Chair at the University of Malaya.
Concluding his address, PM Modi invited members of the diaspora to visit India and experience its diversity firsthand. He also encouraged them to bring their Malaysian friends along, stressing that people-to-people ties remain the foundation of the enduring friendship between India and Malaysia.