Yet Another Feather in Modi’s Cap

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Malaysia was not just another stop on a busy diplomatic calendar. It was a statement—quietly firm, strategically layered, and unmistakably confident—that India under Modi is no longer content reacting to global events but is actively shaping outcomes. In an increasingly fragmented world, Modi’s foreign policy is emerging as a stabilising force, building bridges where others erect walls.

The visit was particularly significant given the backdrop of past friction between India and Malaysia over controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who has found refuge there despite Indian agencies seeking his extradition for alleged radicalisation and financial crimes. Modi did not avoid the elephant in the room. Instead, he reframed the conversation—asserting, without grandstanding, that terror has no place in a world aspiring for peace, growth, and shared prosperity. That clarity, delivered diplomatically, is now Modi’s trademark.

What followed was substance, not symbolism.

India and Malaysia unveiled 16 cooperative initiatives, but the real story lies not in the number, rather in where these agreements are focused—security, semiconductors, digital payments, counter-terrorism, Indo-Pacific stability, and diaspora welfare. These are not ceremonial MoUs; they are building blocks of a long-term strategic partnership.

Modi underlined that India and Malaysia share a “special relationship,” rooted in history, culture, and people-to-people ties. Malaysia is home to one of the largest Indian diasporas globally, predominantly of Tamil origin—a living bridge between the two nations. The announcement of a new Indian Consulate General in Malaysia is therefore not administrative trivia; it is a signal that India is institutionalising care for its overseas citizens while expanding commercial and cultural outreach.

The elevation of India-Malaysia ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in August 2024 now finds real operational meaning. Defence and maritime security cooperation—especially critical in the Indo-Pacific—were given prominence. Modi’s emphasis on intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism cooperation reflects India’s insistence that economic growth cannot coexist with ideological extremism.

Equally important was the focus on semiconductors, an area where global supply chains have become geopolitical pressure points. Malaysia is a key player in semiconductor assembly and testing, while India is rapidly building fabrication and design capabilities. Their cooperation signals India’s intent to embed itself into resilient, trusted tech ecosystems—reducing dependency on unstable supply lines.

Digital diplomacy also found a concrete expression. The agreement between NPCI International Payments (NIPL) and Malaysia’s PAYNET enables UPI-based transactions across borders. For tourists, businesses, and the diaspora, this is convenient. For India, it is strategic export of digital public infrastructure—one of Modi’s most under-appreciated global achievements.

Cultural diplomacy, often dismissed as soft power fluff, was deployed smartly. Audio-visual co-production agreements, the establishment of a Thiruvalluvar Centre at Universiti Malaya, and scholarships for Malaysian nationals reaffirm India’s civilisational confidence. Modi’s India does not shy away from its heritage; it globalises it.

The cooperation framework extended to disaster management, health, vocational education, social security for Indian workers, and UN peacekeeping. These are areas that rarely make headlines but define credibility. They demonstrate that India is positioning itself not merely as a market or military power, but as a reliable partner in governance and human development.

Crucially, Modi situated the partnership within the broader Indo-Pacific narrative, affirming India’s commitment to peace, stability, and ASEAN centrality. As power equations shift, India is emerging as a balancing force—trusted by the Global South, engaged with the West, and respectful of regional sensitivities.

This is diplomacy with direction.

For decades, India’s foreign policy oscillated between idealism and hesitation. Under Modi, it has found coherence—driven by national interest, civilisational self-belief, and pragmatic engagement. That is why world leaders increasingly see Modi not as a problem-solver for India alone, but as a solution-oriented statesman in an anxious world.

For 140 crore Indians who believe “Modi hai toh mumkin hai,” the Malaysia visit is another reminder: India is no longer knocking on doors. It is being invited in—and listened to.