I am delighted to visit this beautiful country and this charming city.
I attach the highest importance to India's relations with Canada.
This has been reinforced by my excellent experience with Canada as Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Our relationship had drifted in the past. In recent years, Prime Minister Harper's vision and leadership changed the course of our relations.
I am conscious of the significance of this visit in the history of our relations.
I have come at a time when the importance of this relationship for our two countries has never been stronger.
We are two major democracies with deeply shared values.
Few countries in the world can match Canada's potential to be a partner in India's economic transformation. And, it exists in a new environment in India, which is open, predictable, stable and easy to do business in.
Equally, the vast scale of India's transformation, and our rapid economic growth, offers immense opportunities for Canada.
I seek Canada's cooperation and investment in every area of India's national development priority,- Energy and Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Skills, Smart Cities and agro-industry, and Research and Education.
Prime Minister Harper and I are absolutely committed to establish a new framework for economic partnership. I am pleased that we have made rapid progress on long pending agreements.
I am confident that we can conclude the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement very soon. We will also implement the road map to conclude the Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Agreement by September 2015.
The thirteen agreements on skill development reflect my commitment to empower the youth of India with world class skills for India and the global economy.
The agreement on procurement of uranium from Canada for our civilian nuclear power plants launches a new era of bilateral nuclear cooperation.
It also reflects a new level of mutual trust and confidence. Further, it will contribute to India's efforts to power its growth with clean energy.
As the agreement today on Space highlights, we have strong synergy for cooperation in areas of advanced technologies.
To support greater engagement and people-to-people contacts, we have liberalised our visa policy for Canada. We will issue Electronic Visa Authorisation for tourist visa for Canadian nationals. They will also be eligible for ten-year visas now.
Prime Minister and I agree that a strong bilateral relationship will provide a solid foundation to pursue our common international interests.
We also agree that in the troubled world of today, our cooperation will help advance our shared values and peace in the world.
We in India felt Canada's pain when this city was struck by a senseless act of terrorism.
The threat of terrorism is growing; its shadow extends over cities and lives across the world.
We will deepen our cooperation to combat terrorism and extremism. We will also promote a comprehensive global strategy, and consistent policy and action against all sources of terrorism and its support.
We also agree on the need to enhance our defence and security cooperation. I welcome our recent agreement on cyber security.
We both recognise that peace and stability in West Asia will make us safer at home; so will Afghanistan's successful transition.
I believe that Canada is a major Asia Pacific power and should play a more active role, including in regional institutions, in promoting a stable and prosperous future for the region.
I look forward to our continued partnership in G 20.
In conclusion, let me say that ours is a natural partnership of shared values.
It is an economic partnership of immense mutual benefit.
It is a strategic partnership that can help address many of our shared global challenges.
And, it is a relationship nurtured by the emotional bonds of a vibrant Indian community of 1.2 million.
I am confident that this visit will be a springboard for a new strategic partnership between our two democracies.
Finally, Prime Minister has been most gracious and generous in choosing to go with me to Ottawa and Vancouver. I also thank him for returning to us a precious piece of our heritage.
There is no better evidence of his commitment to our relationship. There will be no better way for me to experience this country's huge diversity.
Indian diaspora in Malaysia acts as a living bridge between the two countries: PM Modi at the community programme in Kuala Lumpur
February 07, 2026
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Grateful for the warmth of the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur, Our diaspora continues to serve as a strong bridge between India and Malaysia: PM
Malaysia has the second-largest Indian-origin community in the world, there is so much that connects Indian and Malaysian hearts: PM
I spoke about you in Mann Ki Baat, where I shared with 1.4 billion Indians that over 500 schools in Malaysia teach children in Indian languages: PM
The members of the Tamil diaspora in Malaysia are serving the society in various fields and the Tamil diaspora has been here for many centuries: PM
We are proud to have established the Thiruvalluvar Chair in the University of Malaya. We will now set up a Thiruvalluvar Centre to further strengthen our shared heritage: PM
India’s success is Malaysia’s success, it is Asia’s success, that is why I say the guiding word of our relationship is IMPACT: PM
I encourage more of you, along with your Malay friends, to travel and experience Incredible India, as people-to-people contact is the cornerstone of our friendship: PM
India is seen as a trusted partner for growth, with countries such as the UK, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Oman, the EU and the USA signing trade deals with India: PM
His Excellency, Prime Minister अनवर इब्राहिम,
My dear friends, brothers and sisters,
सलामत पतांग!
वणक्कम्!
सुखमाणो?
सत श्री अकाल!
बागुन्नारा?
केम-छो?
The warmth of your greetings reflects the beautiful diversity of our shared culture.
First of all, I thank my dear friend, Prime Minister अनवर इब्राहिम, for joining this community celebration. I also thank him for his very kind words on the scale and future potential of India – Malaysia friendship in his speech just now.
Not just that, Prime Minister came to the airport to welcome me, and he brought me here in his car. Not only his car, but his seat also. These special gestures reflect his love and respect for India and for all of you.
I am grateful for your warm words, hospitality and friendship.
Friends,
We have just seen a record setting cultural performance. More than 800 Dancers in perfect harmony. This performance will be remembered by our people for years to come. I congratulate you. I congratulate all the performers.
Friends,
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and I have been friends even before he became Prime Minister. I commend his focus on reforms, his great intellect and able Chairmanship of the ASEAN in 2025.
Last year, I could not visit Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit. But I promised my friend that I will come to Malaysia soon. And as promised, I am here.
This is my first foreign visit in 2026. I am delighted to be with you during these festive times. I hope everyone celebrated Sankranti, Pongal and तइ-पूसम् with great joy. Soon, the festival of Shivaratri is coming. In a few days, Ramzan begins and then हरि राया will be celebrated with great devotion. I wish everyone happiness and good health.
Friends,
Malaysia has the second largest Indian-origin community in the world. There is so much that connects Indian and Malaysian hearts. The exhibition that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and I saw a short while ago, shows these connections beautifully. You are a living bridge that links us.
You have connected रोटी चनाई with the मलाबार परोट्टा.
Coconut, spices and of course तेह तारिक…
The flavours feel so familiar, whether it is in Kuala Lumpur or Kochi. We understand each other so well. It must be due to the large number of common words between our languages and मलय.
I have heard that Indian movies and music are popular in Malaysia. You all know that Prime Minister अनवर इब्राहीम sings very well. But many Indians back home did not know it. During his last visit, they were pleasantly surprised. Videos of him singing an old Hindi song in India went viral! It is wonderful that he also loves Tamil songs of the legendary MGR.
Friends,
I know that India has a special place in your hearts. I remember very clearly an instance from 2001. When there was an earthquake in my home state of Gujarat, many of you came together to help. I thank you all.
And even long before that, to make India a free country, thousands of your ancestors made great sacrifices. Many of them had never seen India. But they were among the first to join Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army.
In his honour we renamed the Indian Cultural Centre in Malaysia after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. I also take this moment to salute the efforts of the Netaji Service Centre and Netaji Welfare Foundation in Malaysia.
Friends,
It is remarkable the way you have preserved traditions over centuries. Recently, I spoke in my monthly radio conversation Mann Ki Baat about you. I shared with 1.4 billion Indians how over 500 schools in Malaysia teach children in Indian languages.
The influence of great saints like तिरुवळ्ळुवर् and स्वामी विवेकानंद can also be felt here. The तइ-पूसम् in बतु caves last week was so divine that it looked like the celebrations at पळनि. Equally grand are the cultural celebrations at श्री वेंकटेश्वरा Temple, बागान दातोह.
I am told that Garba is very popular here. We also deeply cherish the cultural connections with our Sikh brothers who live here. You have carried the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to this day by promoting नाम जपो, किरत करो, वंड छको.
Friends,
We have people from all parts of India here. The threads of cultural unity bind us strongly. Our strength is we understand unity in diversity.
Friends,
Tamil is India’s gift to the world. Tamil literature is eternal and Tamil culture is global. In the same way, Tamil people have also served humanity with their talents. And I proudly say, India’s Vice President, Thiru CP Radhakrishnan ji, Our Foreign Minister Jaishankar ji who is with us today, Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman ji, who has presented our budget nine times. Dr. Murugan, our Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, are all from Tamil Nadu.
In the same way, the members of the Tamil diaspora in Malaysia, are serving the society, in various fields. In fact, The Tamil diaspora has been here for many centuries. Inspired by this history, we are proud to have established the तिरुवळ्ळुवर Chair in the University of मलाया. We will now set up a तिरुवळ्ळुवर Centre to further strengthen our shared heritage.
Friends,
Our relationship with Malaysia is scaling new heights each year. In 2024, during the visit of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to New Delhi, we elevated our ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Today, we walk hand in hand as partners towards progress and prosperity. We celebrate each other’s success just as our own. I was touched by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s good wishes on the historic success of Chandrayaan-3. I agree with you, my dear friend. India’s success is Malaysia’s success, it is Asia’s success.
That is why, I say the guiding word of our relationship is IMPACT. IMPACT means India Malaysia Partnership for Advancing Collective Transformation.
IMPACT on the speed of our relations
IMPACT on the scale of our ambitions
IMPACT for the benefit of our people
Together, we can benefit entire humanity!
Friends,
Indian companies have always been keen to work with Malaysia. It is a privilege that we played a part in creating Malaysia’s first and Asia’s largest insulin manufacturing facility.
Over 100 Indian IT companies operate in Malaysia, generating thousands of jobs. The Malaysia-India Digital Council is paving new pathways for our digital collaboration. I am happy to share with you that India's UPI will come to Malaysia soon.
Friends,
We share the same blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Across the ocean, we love to visit each other. I invite you all to visit different parts of India.
In the past few years, India has seen unprecedented growth in infrastructure and connectivity. The number of our airports has doubled in a decade. Highways are being built at a record pace. Modern trains like Vande Bharat are getting international acclaim. I encourage more of you to travel and experience Incredible India.
You must also bring your मलय friends with you. Don’t come alone. Because people-to-people connect is the cornerstone of our friendship.
Friends,
When we met in 2015, I spoke to you about India’s potential. Now, I speak to you about India’s performance. In one decade, India has seen a massive transformation.
Then, we were the 11th largest economy in the world. Now, we are knocking on the doors of the Top 3. We are also the world’s fastest growing major economy.
Then, Make in India was a sapling that was just planted. Now, India is the world’s second largest mobile manufacturer. Our defence exports have gone up nearly 30 times since 2014. India has also become the third largest startup hub in the world.
We have built the world’s largest Digital Public Infrastructure and the world’s largest fintech ecosystem. Nearly half of the world’s real-time digital transactions happen in India, thanks to our UPI platform.
While growing fast, we also ensured that our growth is clean and green. For example, in one decade, our solar energy has grown about 40 times.
Friends,
Earlier, India was seen just as a huge market. Now, we are a hub for investment and trade. India is seen as a trusted partner for growth. Whether it is the UK, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Oman, the EU or USA, countries have trade deals with India. Trust has become India’s strongest currency.
Friends,
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 up to the 6th generation.
We have been supporting the Indian Scholarships Trust Fund. Now, we are also going to give तिरुवळ्ळुवर Scholarships for students to study in India. And we look forward to seeing you in the Know India Program.
You would be happy to know that we will soon be opening a new Consulate of India in Malaysia. This will bring us even closer.
Friends,
1.4 billion Indians want to build a developed India by 2047.
विकसित भारत बनाना है ना ?
विकसित भारत बनाके रहेंगे कि नहीं रहेंगे ?
हम अपने सपनों को साकार करेंगे कि नहीं करेंगे ?
हम सपनों को संकल्प में बदलेंगे कि नहीं बदलेंगे ?
हम संकल्प को सिद्ध करके रहेंगे कि नहीं रहेंगे ?
In this journey, our Pravasi Bharatiyas, the Indian diaspora, is a valuable partner. Whether you were born in Kuala Lumpur or Kolkata, India lives in your hearts. You are an active part of Malaysia’s and India’s progress. You will help realise the vision of prosperous Malaysia and Viksit Bharat.
