VERBATIM TEXT

JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE

H.E. NARENDRA MODI, PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA

 

8 FEBRUARI 2026

 

Terima kasih. Thank you.

 

Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Republic of India.

 

Excellencies, Ladies and gentleman,

 

1. We have sat yesterday and also in our Bilateral session this morning, that we consider this meeting and this exchanges very vital, very strategic and critical to advanced and enhanced relations between India and Malaysia.
2. Of course we have long standing relations since 1957, but it to comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024. The deep historical ties, strong people-to-people linkages, and ever-expanding economic cooperation.

 

3. We continue deepen collaboration in all fields, trade and investment, semiconductors, digital economy, trade in local currency, connectivity, energy, agriculture and food security, defence and security, education, TVET, including through Thiruvalluvar Center, a center at the University Malaya, healthcare, tourism, culture, people to people.

 

4. It is really comprehensive, and we believe that we can advance this and execute in a speedy manner with the commitment of both governments, both foreign ministers.

 

5. And we have seen also the exchanges of 11 documents, including MoU, in 10 exchanges of letters, which extended beyond normal bilateral arrangements, because we have covered even peacekeeping operation, on the semiconductor, healthcare, and security cooperation.
6. Trade, of course, it has to further extend in the areas grow in reflecting bounds. One spectacular rise in international economic trade as seen. And therefore, Malaysia, in the ASEAN context, certainly benefited immensely if we could secure more ways and opportunities to collaborate with India, to extending beyond the 18.59 billion dollars that we achieved in 2025.

 

7. And one remarkable feat is the decision to use local currency as far as possible and Bank Negara Malaysia, and CBI has worked on this area for Ringgit Malaysia, and Rupee in bilateral trade and investment.

 

8. Similarly in digital connectivity, energy and semiconductor. Well, education remains pivotal. Many Malaysians were educated in India, and there is growing number of Indian students in Malaysia too. Since the last decade or so, under the leadership of my friend Prime Minister Modi Ji, you have seen the spectacular recognition of the Indian Centers of Excellence in Education, there’s not only comparable but many of them have achieved outstanding recognition beyond the known institutions in the west. And therefore, we would certainly explore this to increase the number of students in disciplines and fields to study in India.

 

9. Tourism and connectivity are of course an area that we will have to give more emphasis. We have seen this spectacular increase during the past year and we hope to benefit from Malaysia Truly Asia and Incredible India through visa liberalisation and increase air connectivity to see the spectacular India.

 

10. I’ve been in India and I don’t know umpteen times and covered hundreds of places and I still think that I covered India. It’s too huge, Prime Minister. And its amazing country to visit. to learn the history, the culture, the arts, other than the new advancement in the technology, new technology and IT.

 

11. In terms of regional and international issues, I must express my appreciation because in my discussions with Prime Minister Modi, it is not just normal pirate attitudes and diplomatic exchanges. It is an exchange between true friends, full of trust and understanding.

 

12. And therefore, I must take this opportunity to express my regards and thanks for him for his firm commitment to support all peace efforts throughout the world, be it in the Ukraine, Russia or in the case of the Middle east, particularly in Gaza. His commitment to support the peace process is unequivocal and certainly.

 

13. I must therefore express my appreciation and as a sign of good relations, I immediately agree to support the decision of the government of India to open a consulate of India in Kota Kinabalu Sabah.

 

Thank you.