New Delhi, 12 September (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in New Delhi on Saturday, September 12, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit hosted by India.

The meeting took place at Hyderabad House, where the two leaders reviewed the progress of India-Malaysia relations and discussed ways to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Anwar Ibrahim arrived in New Delhi on Friday to participate in the BRICS Summit, being held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13.

The talks are significant as Malaysia is participating in the BRICS Summit as a partner country. Anwar's visit also reflects the growing importance of India-Malaysia relations as India continues to strengthen engagement with countries across the Global South.

India and Malaysia have steadily expanded cooperation in several areas, including trade, investment, digital technology, education, energy, defence, tourism and people-to-people ties. Their relationship was elevated to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership in 2015, providing a broader framework for closer bilateral engagement.

Economic and technological cooperation remain important elements of the relationship. Both countries have been exploring opportunities in emerging sectors while working to strengthen trade, investment and commercial connections.

Anwar's participation in the BRICS gathering also provides India and Malaysia with an opportunity to exchange views on wider regional and international developments. The 2026 BRICS Summit is addressing issues including economic cooperation, innovation, sustainability, global challenges and the interests of developing countries.

Prime Minister Modi is holding a series of bilateral meetings with visiting leaders during the two-day summit. His engagements reflect India's effort to use the BRICS platform to strengthen diplomatic and economic partnerships with member states and partner countries.

For India and Malaysia, the Modi-Anwar meeting provides another opportunity to build on the momentum in bilateral relations and identify practical areas where cooperation can produce economic and strategic benefits.

The meeting comes as India hosts the expanded BRICS grouping in New Delhi, bringing together major emerging economies and partner countries amid a rapidly changing global geopolitical and economic environment.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar