Modi and Anwar Ibrahim hold talks in Malaysia; India to open its first Consulate in Malaysia, Malaysia joins IBCA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held official talks at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya, Malaysia, on 8 February 2026, during Modi's official visit to Malaysia on 7–8 February.
Summary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a ceremonial welcome at the Perdana Putra complex, Putrajaya, on 8 February 2026 and then held restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Seri Perdana, Anwar's official residence. The official visit ran from 7 to 8 February. The leaders reaffirmed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), to which ties were elevated in August 2024; diplomatic relations date from 1957. Eleven documents were exchanged, including an Audio-Visual Co-production Agreement, MoUs on disaster management and on combating corruption, Exchanges of Notes on semiconductors, security cooperation (between the two National Security Councils), vocational education (TVET) and health, and a Memorandum of Cooperation between ESIC and Malaysia's Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) on social security for Indian workers. Malaysia signed the Framework Agreement on the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), completing its accession. India announced its first Consulate General in Malaysia, a Thiruvalluvar Centre at Universiti Malaya and Thiruvalluvar Scholarships, and NPCI International (NIPL) and PayNet signed an agreement on cross-border payments. The 10th India–Malaysia CEO Forum met in Kuala Lumpur on 7 February. Modi called for the early completion of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) review, and Anwar backed India's BRICS Presidency in 2026.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 8 February 2026, Seri Perdana, Putrajaya (visit 7–8 February)
- Partnership
- Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since August 2024; diplomatic ties since 1957
- Documents
- 11, incl. semiconductors, security, disaster management, anti-corruption, ESIC–PERKESO social security
- IBCA
- Malaysia signed the Framework Agreement, completing accession
- Announcements
- First Indian Consulate General in Malaysia; Thiruvalluvar Centre at Universiti Malaya; Thiruvalluvar Scholarships; NIPL–PayNet payments link
- Trade
- Call for early completion of AITIGA review; 10th CEO Forum, Kuala Lumpur, 7 February
Practice MCQs 5 questions
India–Malaysia relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in which year?
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Correct answer: C — 2024
The India–Malaysia Joint Statement of 8 February 2026 recalls that ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in August 2024.
During PM Modi's visit in February 2026, Malaysia completed its accession to which India-led alliance?
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Correct answer: D — International Big Cat Alliance
Malaysia signed the Framework Agreement on the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), completing all procedures for accession.
Where did PM Modi and PM Anwar Ibrahim hold their delegation-level talks on 8 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Seri Perdana, Putrajaya
After a ceremonial welcome at the Perdana Putra complex, the talks were held at Seri Perdana, Anwar Ibrahim's official residence in Putrajaya.
Consider the following outcomes of PM Modi's visit to Malaysia in February 2026: 1. NPCI International (NIPL) and PayNet signed an agreement on cross-border payments. 2. ESIC and Malaysia's PERKESO signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on social security for Indian citizens insured in Malaysia. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Both documents appear in the official list of outcomes of the visit.
Consider the following about India–Malaysia ties as stated during the February 2026 visit: 1. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1957. 2. The new Thiruvalluvar Centre will be set up at the University of Cyberjaya. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The Thiruvalluvar Centre will be at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur; the University of Cyberjaya signed an academic MoU with the Institute of Training and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA).