From UPI to Indian consulates: PM Modi lays out his vision for Indian-Malaysia ties in landmark visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that India’s digital payments platform UPI will soon be introduced in Malaysia, as he commenced his two-day visit to the Asian nation. On his first day in the country, the prime minister laid out his vision for the India-Malaysia ties. He also announced that an Indian consulate will open in the country to bring the two nations closer.

On Saturday, PM Modi arrived in Kuala Lumpur on his first foreign visit of 2026. The visit came against the backdrop of steadily expanding bilateral cooperation after both sides elevated ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in August 2024. The visit came on the invitation of the Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

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“India will always embrace you with open arms. That is why we made a historic decision just a few months ago. We extended the OCI Card eligibility to Malaysian citizens of Indian origin upto the sixth generation. We have been supporting the Indian Scholarship Trust Fund. We will also award the Thiruvalluvar Scholarship to students studying in India. We look forward to seeing you in the ‘Know India’ programme,” the prime minister said in his Saturday address to the Indian diaspora.

At the start of his address, the Indian prime minister thanked his Malaysian counterpart for attending the community programme. He said the Malaysian prime minister not only came to the airport to receive him but also accompanied him to the venue, calling it a reflection of “his love and respect for India and for all of you."

Indian consulate in Malaysia

The prime minister was participating in an Indian community reception, 'Selamat Datang Modiji' in Kuala Lumpur, which also saw a special cultural performance by 800 artistes on stage that entered the Malaysian Book of Records as the largest performance of Indian traditional dances in the country.

"In the times to come, an Indian consulate will also be opened in Malaysia, thus bringing our nations even closer," PM Modi posted on X late Saturday evening. According to a subsequent statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the opening of the consulate will strengthen ongoing cooperation between India and Malaysia and expand India's outreach to the Indian community in Malaysia.

"An unforgettable community welcome in Kuala Lumpur! The energy, affection and pride of the Indian diaspora were deeply touching. Their remarkable contributions to Malaysia’s progress while staying connected to India’s culture and heritage are commendable," he said in another post.

During the delegation-level talks between the two nations, New Delhi is also set to again press Kuala Lumpur on the extradition of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. Overall, the visit is expected to give fresh momentum to India–Malaysia ties, with digital payments, economic cooperation and defence collaboration featuring prominently on the agenda.

With inputs from agencies.