Story perspectives

Anwar and Modi Upgrade Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

By Drooid · Sep 13, 2026, 10:07 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi during the 18th BRICS Summit.
Anwar performed a classic Hindi song at the summit gala dinner, sparking widespread social-media attention.
The leaders upgraded India-Malaysia relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
They signed agreements on digital technology and tourism cooperation.
Anwar also held a breakfast meeting with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi to discuss semiconductors.

History

Historical Context

On 27 October 2010 Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak signed the India-Malaysia CECA, eliminating tariffs and expanding trade. The pact followed India’s Look East shift that lifted ASEAN-India trade from $2.9 billion in 1993 to $12.1 billion in 2003. In 2024 Anwar Ibrahim met Narendra Modi in New Delhi, upgrading ties to a partnership that adds tourism and semiconductor cooperation.

1 of 2

Story summary

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi during the 18th BRICS Summit.
Anwar performed a classic Hindi song at the summit gala dinner, sparking widespread social-media attention.
The leaders upgraded India-Malaysia relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
They signed agreements on digital technology and tourism cooperation.
Anwar also held a breakfast meeting with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi to discuss semiconductors.

1 / 2