PM Modi, Malaysian Counterpart Discuss Trade, Investment at BRICS Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the 2025 BRICS Summit in Brazil, where both leaders reviewed the progress in bilateral ties and explored new avenues to deepen cooperation in trade and investment.
Sharing moments from their interaction on X, PM Modi said, “It was a very good meeting with Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Brazil. Malaysia is vital for India, holding a key place in our Vision MAHASAGAR and Act East Policy.”
The two leaders discussed the advancements made since PM Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to India last year, with a focus on strategic sectors such as information technology, renewable energy, and infrastructure. “We also explored ways to enhance investment and trade relations between our nations,” PM Modi noted.
In a separate statement, PM Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the growing relevance of BRICS in reshaping global governance. “The BRICS grouping, which has emerged as a strong and principled force, represents an opportunity to shape a more balanced and just international order,” he said.
Calling for sweeping reforms in global institutions, Anwar underscored the need to restructure the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization to better reflect the realities and aspirations of developing countries. “We must move beyond outdated post-World War II structures,” he stressed.
Highlighting the importance of broader cooperation, Anwar also called for enhanced strategic and economic ties between BRICS and ASEAN countries, especially in cross-regional trade and investment.
India and Malaysia share a historically strong and multifaceted relationship, dating back to 1957 when diplomatic ties were first established. The bond deepened through personal connections between former leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Malaysia is home to approximately 2.75 million Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), making it the second-largest PIO community globally and the third-largest Indian diaspora after the US.
Since the elevation of ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership during PM Modi’s visit to Malaysia in 2015, bilateral engagement has expanded across sectors, from people-to-people connections to economic and technological cooperation.
