No double standards on terrorism, India tells Malaysia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday delivered a strong and unambiguous message on terrorism, asserting that India follows a policy of “no double standards and no compromise,” as he held wide-ranging talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across strategic and economic sectors.

During the discussions, India and Malaysia agreed to strengthen collaboration in defence and security, counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and maritime security, while also expanding partnerships in emerging areas such as semiconductors, digital technologies, health and food security. The two leaders also reviewed progress in trade, investment and people-to-people ties.

Addressing the media after the talks, Modi described India-Malaysia ties as a “special relationship,” rooted in shared history, culture and democratic values. He noted that the two countries are maritime neighbours and have maintained close civilisational links for centuries. Highlighting the strong Indian diaspora presence, Modi said Malaysia is home to one of the largest populations of people of Indian origin globally, which adds depth to bilateral relations.

Reiterating India’s firm stand against terrorism, Modi said cooperation in counter-terrorism would remain a key pillar of the partnership. He added that defence cooperation would be made more comprehensive, reflecting shared concerns over regional and global security challenges.

The prime minister also underlined the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific, describing it as the world’s emerging growth engine. He said India is committed to peace, stability and development across the Indo-Pacific region in partnership with ASEAN countries, including Malaysia.

Both leaders explored opportunities to advance cooperation in advanced manufacturing, particularly in the semiconductor sector, as well as artificial intelligence and digital innovation. Trade and investment flows, connectivity and supply chain resilience were also discussed, with both sides expressing confidence in further economic expansion.

Earlier in the day, Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra, the Malaysian prime minister’s office, following a grand red-carpet reception on his arrival in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. Prime Minister Ibrahim personally received Modi at the airport, signalling renewed momentum in bilateral ties.

Ibrahim said India’s rise on the global economic and trade front has been remarkable and noted that Malaysia continues to expand collaboration with India in trade, investment, connectivity and defence. He expressed confidence that the visit would give fresh impetus to the comprehensive strategic partnership.

India and Malaysia elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in August 2024. Officials said several agreements are expected to be finalised to institutionalise cooperation in key sectors, marking a new phase in India-Malaysia relations.