Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to visit New Delhi next week. This trip, starting on August 19, will be his first official visit to India since he took office in late 2022. It also marks the first visit by a Malaysian premier since 2018.
Key Agreements and Discussions
During his visit, Ibrahim is expected to sign several important agreements, including a key pact on the recruitment, employment, and repatriation of Indian workers. This memorandum of understanding aims to address ongoing issues related to the rights of Indian workers in Malaysia, who number around 185,000.
Ibrahim will also meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top officials. Additionally, he will deliver a speech at the Indian Council of World Affairs on August 20, focusing on the role of the Global South.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
The visit will serve as an opportunity to reset relations between the two countries, which have experienced some strain. Disputes arose during the tenure of former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, particularly over comments on India’s internal policies and the presence of controversial preacher Zakir Naik in Malaysia.
Recent diplomatic tensions led to India restricting imports of Malaysian palm oil and issues concerning Naik’s residency in Malaysia. The visit aims to address these concerns and enhance cooperation.
Trade and Investment Talks
The visit will also focus on increasing trade and investment between the two nations. Discussions will cover adopting India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system, RuPay payment service, and exploring trade settlements in domestic currencies.
Malaysia is India’s 13th largest trade partner, with two-way trade nearly reaching $20 billion in 2022-23. Additionally, Malaysian companies are significant investors in India’s infrastructure sector.
Previous Diplomatic Engagements
High-level exchanges between India and Malaysia have continued leading up to this visit. Notable visits include Malaysia’s former foreign minister Zambry Abdul Kadir’s trip to India in November 2023 and India’s external affairs minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Kuala Lumpur in March.
Ibrahim’s visit is expected to strengthen bilateral ties and pave the way for enhanced cooperation in various sectors.