PM Modi on Saturday arrived in Kuala Lumpur and highlighted the growing closeness between India and Malaysia, pointing to shared values, cultural links and people-to-people ties as the foundation of the relationship.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday highlighted the shared values between India and Malaysia after arriving in Kuala Lumpur, saying bilateral relations between the two countries are reaching new heights.
After a warm welcome in the Malaysian capital, PM Modi and his counterpart Anwar Ibrahim shared a car ride while heading to a major diaspora programme. The event, titled ‘Selamat Datang Modi Ji’, brought together thousands of members of the Indian community in Malaysia, one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world, and reflected the deep cultural bonds between the two nations.
Addressing the gathering in English, PM Modi said, “Malaysia has the second largest Indian origin community in the world. There is so much that connects Indian and Malaysian hearts… You are the living bridge that links us. You have connected Roti Canai with Malabar Parotta. Coconut, spices, and of course, Teh tarik. The flavours seem so familiar, whether it is in Kuala Lumpur or Kochi.”
He thanked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for the warm reception and for joining the community celebration, saying the shared car ride reflected his affection and respect for Indians. “Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and I have been friends even before he became Prime Minister. I command his focus on reforms,” Modi said.
In a lighter moment, the Prime Minister referred to a recent viral video of Ibrahim singing an old Indian song. “It is wonderful that he also loves Tamil songs of the legendary MGR,” he said.
Calling it his first foreign visit in 2026, PM Modi added, “This is my first foreign visit in 2026. And I’m delighted to be with you during this festive times. I hope everyone celebrated Sankranti, Pongal and Thaipusam with great joy.”
PM Modi lauded the Indian diaspora for preserving Indian traditions over centuries, including teaching Indian languages to younger generations. “The members of the Tamil diaspora in Malaysia are serving the society in various fields. In fact, the Tamil diaspora has been here for many centuries. Inspired by this history, we are proud to have established the Thiruvalluvar Chair in the University of Malaya,” he said.
He described Tamil as India’s link to the world, saying Tamil literature is eternal and Tamil culture is global. Modi also recalled that Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Union Ministers S Jaishankar, Nirmala Sitharaman and L Murugan are from Tamil Nadu.
The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s recent economic strides, noting its trade agreements with several countries and its position as the world’s third-largest start-up hub. “Earlier, India was seen just as a huge market. Now we are a hub for investment and trade. India is seen as a trusted partner for growth,” he said.
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