Anwar said India is a key partner for Malaysia, with collaboration growing in trade, investment, education, technology and tourism.

“We consider this meeting (bilateral meeting) and these exchanges (MoUs) as very vital, strategic and critical to advance and enhance relations between India and Malaysia. We have had a long-standing relationship since 1957, but we elevated it to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024.

“The deep historical ties, strong people-to-people linkages and ever-expanding economic cooperation will continue to strengthen collaboration in all fields, including trade and investment, semiconductors, the digital economy, local currency trade, connectivity and energy,” he said.

Anwar was speaking at a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, at the Seri Perdana Complex here today.

India is Malaysia’s largest trading partner in the South Asian region, with total trade between the two countries reaching RM79.49 billion (US$18.59 billion) in 2025.

Malaysia’s exports amounted to RM52.3 billion (US$12.24 billion) and imports totalled RM27.19 billion (US$6.35 billion).

Key export items comprised palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products, as well as electrical and electronic products, while imports mainly consisted of agricultural, petroleum and chemical products.