What Happened
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur during his two-day official visit to Malaysia (7-8 February 2026), stating that "trust has become India's strongest currency."
- Modi highlighted India's growing global credibility and its emergence as a trusted partner for growth and development.
- The visit was significant as it came months after Modi skipped the ASEAN Summit held in Malaysia in 2025, and was the Prime Minister's third visit to Malaysia since 2015.
- Modi received a warm reception from the Indian community in Malaysia, which is among the largest Indian diasporas in Southeast Asia.
- The address emphasised India's economic transformation, digital public infrastructure, and the role of the diaspora as bridges between India and their host nations.
Static Topic Bridges
Indian Diaspora in Southeast Asia
India has one of the largest diaspora populations in the world, estimated at over 32 million (including Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin). In Malaysia, the Indian community — predominantly Tamil — numbers approximately 2 million, constituting about 7% of Malaysia's population. Historically, Indians migrated to British Malaya as plantation workers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The community has since diversified into business, professions, and politics. India received $125 billion in remittances in FY2023-24, the highest globally, with significant contributions from the Gulf, North America, and Southeast Asia.
- Indian diaspora globally: Over 32 million (NRIs + PIOs)
- Indians in Malaysia: ~2 million (~7% of population); predominantly Tamil origin
- Historical migration: 19th-century plantation labour under British colonial administration
- India's remittance receipts: $125 billion in FY2023-24 (world's highest)
- Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Annual celebration on 9 January, honouring diaspora contributions
- Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) provides emergency assistance to overseas Indians
Connection to this news: Modi's diaspora outreach in Malaysia underscores the strategic use of the Indian community as soft power assets and economic connectors, reinforcing the government's policy of treating the diaspora as a diplomatic force multiplier.
India's Act East Policy
The Act East Policy, upgraded from the earlier Look East Policy (1991), was formally announced in November 2014. It aims to deepen India's engagement with ASEAN and the broader Indo-Pacific region across economic, strategic, and cultural dimensions. India became an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 1992, a full Dialogue Partner in 1996, and a Summit-level Partner in 2002. The ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (AIFTA) came into effect in 2010. India also engages the region through the East Asia Summit, ADMM-Plus, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
- Look East Policy: Launched 1991 under PM Narasimha Rao
- Act East Policy: Upgraded November 2014 under PM Modi
- India-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership: Since 1996; Summit-level since 2002
- ASEAN-India FTA (AIFTA): In effect since 2010
- India-ASEAN trade (2024-25): Approximately $130 billion
- Key connectivity initiatives: India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project
Connection to this news: Modi's Malaysia visit is a concrete expression of the Act East Policy, particularly its emphasis on deepening bilateral ties with individual ASEAN member states beyond the multilateral framework.
India-Malaysia Bilateral Relations
India and Malaysia established diplomatic relations in 1957, the year of Malaysian independence. The relationship was elevated to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership in 2015 during Modi's first visit, and further upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in August 2024 during PM Anwar Ibrahim's visit to India. Bilateral trade reached $19.86 billion in FY2024-25. Malaysia is India's third-largest trading partner within ASEAN. Key areas of cooperation include defence (notably the Su-30 Forum, as both operate Su-30 variants), semiconductors, digital economy, and palm oil trade.
- Diplomatic relations: Established 1957
- Enhanced Strategic Partnership: 2015; upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: August 2024
- Bilateral trade (FY2024-25): $19.86 billion (India exports $7.32 billion; imports $12.54 billion)
- Malaysia: India's 3rd largest ASEAN trading partner
- Defence: Su-30 Forum (both operate Sukhoi Su-30 variants); Strategic Affairs Working Group (SAWG)
- 11 MoUs signed during Modi's February 2026 visit
Connection to this news: The visit and Modi's diaspora address signal a renewed investment in India-Malaysia relations after a period of relative diplomatic distance, building on the CSP framework established in 2024.
Key Facts & Data
- PM Modi's Malaysia visit: 7-8 February 2026 (third visit since 2015)
- India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: Established August 2024
- Indian community in Malaysia: ~2 million (~7% of population)
- India-Malaysia bilateral trade (FY2024-25): $19.86 billion
- India is the world's top remittance recipient: $125 billion in FY2023-24
- Indian diaspora worldwide: Over 32 million
- India-ASEAN trade (2024-25): Approximately $130 billion
- Act East Policy: Upgraded from Look East Policy in November 2014