PM Modi Lauds Indian Diaspora as 'Living Bridge' During Malaysia Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a vibrant interaction with the Indian community in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, emphasized the profound cultural and emotional connections binding India and Malaysia. He specifically commended the Indian diaspora for their remarkable role in preserving and promoting Indian traditions abroad.
Celebrating the People-to-People Connect
Prime Minister Modi highlighted that Malaysia hosts one of the largest populations of Indian origin globally, playing a pivotal part in fortifying the relationship between the two nations. "Malaysia is home to the world's second-largest Indian-origin community. There is an immense depth of connection between Indian and Malaysian hearts. You serve as a living bridge that intimately links our two countries," Modi stated passionately to the gathered crowd.
Global Significance of Tamil Language and Culture
The Prime Minister also drew attention to the international importance of the Tamil language, noting its role as a cultural ambassador. "Tamil represents India's enduring link to the world. Its literature is timeless, and its culture possesses a truly global footprint," he remarked. This recognition holds special significance in Malaysia, where Tamil speakers form a substantial community and the language enjoys official status as a recognized minority language.
Warm Personal Ties with Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim
Reflecting on personal diplomacy, PM Modi fondly recalled his longstanding friendship with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. "Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and I have shared a bond of friendship that predates his premiership. His gracious gesture of welcoming me at the airport and personally driving me to this event in his car is a profound reflection of his deep affection and respect for India and for all of you here," Modi shared, highlighting the personal warmth underpinning official relations.
He further noted the mutual appreciation for cultural exchanges, pointing to the popularity of Indian cinema and music in Malaysia. "It is heartening to know that Indian films and songs enjoy great popularity here. We all know Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is a gifted singer. Videos of him performing a classic Hindi song during his India visit captivated audiences. It is equally wonderful that he holds a fondness for the timeless Tamil songs of the legendary M. G. Ramachandran," Modi added.
Festive Greetings and India's Evolving Global Stature
Extending his best wishes for upcoming festivals, PM Modi said, "The auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri is approaching. Shortly thereafter, the holy month of Ramzan will commence, followed by the joyous celebrations of Hari Raya. I extend my heartfelt wishes for happiness, peace, and robust health to everyone."
Shifting focus to geopolitics, the Prime Minister outlined India's transformed role on the world stage. "There was a time when India was perceived merely as a vast consumer market. Today, we have emerged as a premier hub for investment, innovation, and trade. India is now globally recognized as a reliable and trusted partner for sustainable growth and development," he asserted confidently.
Context of the Bilateral Visit
Prime Minister Modi arrived in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday for a significant two-day official visit. A symbolic car ride with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim from the airport underscored the visit's cordial tone. Modi shared an image from this journey on social media with the caption: "Celebrating the robust India-Malaysia people-to-people connect! PM Anwar Ibrahim and I are en route to the community event in Kuala Lumpur."
This marks PM Modi's first visit to Malaysia since 2015, following a period of diplomatic strain between 2019 and 2020 due to political and trade disagreements. Relations have seen a steady improvement in recent years, culminating in the signing of nine key agreements during Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's visit to India in August 2024.
During this two-day engagement, the leaders are scheduled to hold comprehensive bilateral talks to review and advance progress under the India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Additionally, the 10th meeting of the India-Malaysia CEO’s Forum will convene in Kuala Lumpur, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs in a pre-visit statement, highlighting the growing economic dimension of the relationship.
