NEW DELHI Sept 14, 2026 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Monday described his four-day working visit to India as a major diplomatic and economic success for Malaysia, saying the country had projected a firm voice on the global stage while attracting interest from Indian firms in high-value sectors.
Anwar, who attended the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi as a partner country, said Malaysia had spoken for Global South nations seeking a fairer international order. He also reiterated Malaysia’s support for Palestinians and its rejection of occupation, violence and silence in the face of injustice.
The prime minister held bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. He said these encounters reflected Malaysia’s growing ability to engage diverse powers on the basis of principle, national interest and public welfare.
Indian companies showed interest in cooperation in automotive, engineering, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Anwar said the goal was to draw investment, develop local talent and create high-value jobs for Malaysians. Malaysia positioned itself as a gateway to ASEAN during business meetings that also involved firms from Gulf countries.
After the summit in New Delhi, Anwar travelled to Kerala. There he met state leaders and industry players to expand cooperation in the digital economy, health, education, tourism, logistics and the halal industry. He highlighted centuries-old historical and civilisational links between the Malabar coast and Southeast Asia as the foundation for stronger economic ties.
At Markazu Saquafathi Sunniyya in Karanthur, Kozhikode, Anwar met India’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad (also known as Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar). He received an excellence award and discussed the need for an AI approach grounded in values so that technology advances without undermining ethics, intellectual freedom or humanity. The visit included a gathering of about 2,000 students and a zikir session.
Anwar thanked the Indian government for its hospitality in New Delhi and Kerala, along with Malaysian embassy staff, his delegation and the media. He then departed for the Maldives to continue what he called Diplomasi MADANI.
Malaysia has held BRICS partner-country status since 1 January 2025. The New Delhi summit, hosted by India under the theme of resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, adopted a joint declaration covering UN reform, counter-terrorism, local-currency trade and Global South priorities. Anwar delivered a national statement on inclusive global growth.
The visit was Anwar’s second to India as prime minister, following a trip in 2024 that elevated bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He is expected to brief the Malaysian media further upon his return.
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