Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is on a state visit to India, described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his brother and said that there are many areas in which Malaysia and India need to explore further possibilities.
Describing India as an important nation, the Malaysian Prime Minister said that the two countries discuss all issues, sensitive or adverse, like true brothers as this is the true meaning of friendship.
The Malaysian Prime Minister said in a joint press statement with Prime Minister Modi today, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is my brother. He was very kind even when I was not the Prime Minister… We have agreed to further enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership…”
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India and Malaysia have elevated their relations to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Malaysian Prime Minister Ibrahim said, “We will reinvigorate this working relationship in all areas… We discuss all issues like true brothers, whether they are sensitive or fraught, because that is the true meaning of friendship. We have developed understanding on many issues, and the Prime Minister has mentioned some of them. But I have said, as we have said in the meetings, we will take it forward.”
He said, “I personally believe, and I have told this to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well, that there are many areas in which we need to explore more, and it is unfortunate that there has been no progress in this direction in the last several years. India is an important and great nation, with a great history, culture and civilisation…”
He further said that Malaysia has launched many new programmes and added that he invites Indian companies to collaborate in Malaysia.
Mr Ibrahim added, “We look forward to further collaboration between Indian companies and Malaysian companies across all sectors, including new challenging areas such as energy transition, digitalisation and food security. We also emphasised the need to utilize both our experience and expertise in the semiconductor sector, which we are fortunate to be considered as a hub for in Southeast Asia…”
Mr Ibrahim arrived in the national capital today on a state visit, his first visit to India as Malaysian Prime Minister. He was warmly welcomed at the airport by Union Minister of State V Somanna.
He paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Delhi’s Raj Ghat after meeting Prime Minister Modi and laid a floral tribute. Ibrahim also signed the visitor’s book at Raj Ghat.
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