“No Double Standards, No Compromise on Terrorism”: PM Modi in Malaysia

• India, Malaysia agree to deepen security and defence cooperation
• Focus on AI, semiconductors, health and food security partnerships
• UPI rollout, e-visa and social security pact for workers announced
• PM stresses zero tolerance for terrorism and need for global reforms

GG News Bureau
Kuala Lumpur, 8th Feb: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reaffirmed India’s uncompromising stand against terrorism, declaring, “No double standards. No compromise,” during a joint press statement with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur.

Addressing the media, the Prime Minister said India and Malaysia had decided to bring “unprecedented speed and depth” to their partnership, building on strong cooperation in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, digital economy, biotechnology and information technology.

He noted that the two nations, described as maritime neighbours with deep civilisational ties, would further strengthen collaboration in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and maritime security, while expanding defence cooperation.

The leaders also agreed to deepen partnerships in emerging sectors, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, healthcare and food security. The CEO Forum held alongside the visit, the Prime Minister said, opened new opportunities in trade and investment, with the aim of translating strategic trust into economic transformation.

Highlighting people-centric initiatives, the Prime Minister announced a social security agreement to protect Indian workers in Malaysia, a gratis e-visa facility to boost tourism, and the rollout of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Malaysia to simplify cross-border transactions.

He said the nearly three million-strong Indian diaspora in Malaysia serves as a “living bridge” between the two nations, adding that new measures for their welfare would strengthen bilateral ties at a human level.

Emphasising cultural links, the Prime Minister noted the shared love for the Tamil language and culture, and said a new audio-visual agreement would enhance cooperation in films and music, particularly Tamil cinema. Both countries also agreed to expand university exchanges, startup collaboration and skill development initiatives, along with the opening of a new Indian consulate in Malaysia.

On regional issues, the Prime Minister said India remains committed to ASEAN centrality and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and both sides agreed to expedite the review of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement.

Calling for reforms in global institutions to address current challenges, he said the growing India–Malaysia partnership would play an important role in ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the region.