• Indian PM Modi meets Malaysian PM Anwar to boost bilateral trade and defense ties.
• Key areas of cooperation include semiconductors, health care, and security.
• Bilateral trade reached $18.6 billion last year, with goals to surpass this amount.
• 11 cooperation agreements signed during the visit, focusing on diverse sectors.
• Both leaders condemned terrorism and emphasized local currency trade facilitation.

During a two-day visit to Malaysia, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, focusing on enhancing cooperation in trade, semiconductors, defense, and various other sectors. This visit marks Modi's first since the two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in August 2024, reflecting a commitment to strengthen bilateral relations, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

In their discussions, Modi and Anwar agreed to deepen collaboration across sectors such as defense, trade, and energy, highlighting the importance of local currency settlement for cross-border trade. Both leaders also reiterated their goal to expand the existing bilateral trade of approximately $18.6 billion, emphasizing sectors including semiconductors, which are crucial for both countries' economies, according to Anadolu Agency and Al Jazeera.

The leaders announced the signing of eleven cooperation agreements covering various fields, including health care, national security, and defense. Modi expressed a particular interest in enhancing India's defense ties with Malaysia, hinting at potential collaborations involving aircraft and submarines, which could further solidify the strategic partnership between the two nations, as reported by Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Both Modi and Anwar condemned terrorism in all forms and called for increased international efforts to combat it, showcasing a united front on global security matters. Additionally, the two nations aim to work closely on food security, particularly in the trade of essential commodities, according to Anadolu Agency and Al Jazeera.