‎Kuala Lumpur/ New Delhi, Feb 8 (.) ‎India and Malaysia on Sunday took significant steps to strengthen their bilateral partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his official engagement during his visit to Malaysia, marked by the signing and exchange of multiple agreements spanning defence, technology, education, culture, social security, and people-to-people ties.

‎A total of 10 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Exchanges of Letters (EoLs), and Exchanges of Notes (EoNs) were formalised between the two sides, reflecting the growing breadth of cooperation between New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur.

‎Among the key outcomes was the signing of an Audio-Visual Co-production Agreement, aimed at boosting collaboration in film, television, and digital media. Both sides also inked MoUs on disaster management cooperation and combating and preventing corruption, underscoring a shared commitment to resilience and good governance.

‎Defence and security cooperation received a further push through an Exchange of Notes on Security Cooperation between the National Security Councils of the two countries. At the same time, peacekeeping collaboration was reinforced by extending the UN Peacekeeping Cooperation MoU.

‎In a move aligned with emerging global priorities, India and Malaysia agreed to cooperate in the semiconductor sector, signalling closer engagement in critical and high-technology supply chains. Another notable agreement was the Framework Agreement on the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA), highlighting joint efforts in wildlife conservation.

‎People-centric cooperation featured prominently, including a Memorandum of Cooperation between India’s Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and Malaysia’s Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) to support social security programmes for Indian citizens working in Malaysia. Additional agreements covered vocational education and training (TVET) and health and medicine, expanding institutional collaboration in human resource development and public health.

‎The visit also saw the presentation of the report of the 10th Malaysia–India CEO Forum, jointly submitted by the forum’s co-chairs to senior officials from both governments, reflecting strong interest from the private sector in deepening economic engagement.

‎Several forward-looking announcements were made during the visit. These include the establishment of an Indian Consulate General in Malaysia, the creation of a dedicated Thiruvalluvar Centre at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, and the institution of Thiruvalluvar Scholarships for Malaysian nationals.

In the financial and education sectors, agreements were announced on cross-border payments between NIPL and PAYNET SDN BHD, and an academic collaboration MoU between the University of Cyberjaya and India’s Institute of Training and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA).

‎The outcomes of the visit underline the steady elevation of India–Malaysia relations into a comprehensive and forward-looking partnership, driven by shared strategic interests, economic cooperation, and deep cultural connections.

. SKA SQ ARN