Anwar To Hold High-Level Meetings With Modi, Putin During BRICS Summit Working Visit In India

From Saraswathi Muniappan

NEW DELHI, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to engage in high-level bilateral meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during his working visit to the Indian capital for the 18th BRICS Summit this weekend.

“Besides Modi and Putin, the Prime Minister will also meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on the sidelines of the Summit.

“These are confirmed bilateral meetings; there could be more provided both parties can agree on the timing,” Malaysia’s Chargé d’Affaires, Deputy High Commissioner, Sharifah Ezneeda Wafa told Malaysian media ahead of the Prime Minister’s arrival on Sept 11 here.

Malaysia is participating in the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi as a BRICS Partner Country.

Hosted by Modi, the Summit carries the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, with a focus on strengthening resilience, economic cooperation as well as trade and investment reforms.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, will be accompanied by the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and the Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan.

“The Prime Minister will share Malaysia’s views on a more inclusive, equitable and beneficial international system, while emphasising the importance of the voice of the Global South.

“This reflects Malaysia’s principled, balanced and pragmatic foreign policy,” said Sharifah Ezneeda.

She said BRICS has the potential to enhance the economic capabilities of its member countries, given that the group’s cumulative market size covers 3.88 billion people, with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of US$29.85 trillion, or 27.1 per cent of global GDP.

“BRICS also serves as a platform to explore new opportunities in trade, investment, technology, food security, energy and digital transformation,” said Sharifah Ezneeda.

The Summit is the highest-level platform of BRICS, where the Heads of State and Government from BRICS member and partner countries come together. They discuss key strategic issues related to global governance, sustainable development, economic cooperation, trade and investment, digital transformation, and the global challenges facing developing countries.

Among other engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver a National Statement on Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth.

Malaysia will emphasise the importance of strengthening cooperation among BRICS Member and Partner Countries in addressing development challenges, expanding economic opportunities, and ensuring that the benefits of technological advancement and innovation are enjoyed more inclusively by all countries, said Sharifah Ezneeda.

“The Prime Minister will also meet prominent captains of industry here,” she added.

The programme will provide a platform to discuss investments and partnerships in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, engineering, as well as information technology and technology solutions.

The BRICS group, which serves as a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries of the Global South, facilitates collaboration across diverse sectors and was initially established by Brazil, Russia, India and China.

It later expanded with the inclusion of South Africa in 2011, followed by Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2023, and Indonesia in 2024.

Malaysia, as well as Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda and Uzbekistan, were accepted as BRICS partner countries.

As a founding member of BRICS, India has previously held the chairship three times, in 2012, 2016 and 2021. India assumed its fourth BRICS Chairship on Jan 1, 2026.

The year 2026 also marks a significant milestone as BRICS completes 20 years since its establishment.

Keralam Visit

Extending his working visit to South India, Anwar will also travel to Keralam to further strengthen bilateral relations and unlock strategic collaboration across key sectors, including trade and investment, the digital economy, talent and labour, education, and regional connectivity.

In Keralam, he will meet the Grand Mufti of India, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, to exchange views on community development, educational advancement and interfaith harmony.

As part of the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet Keralam Chief Minister Thiru V. D. Satheesan and state Governor Thiru Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

The engagements aim to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and the state of Keralam in key sectors such as trade and investment, tourism, healthcare and education.

Trade and Investment

Malaysia’s total trade with India decreased by five per cent to RM79.33 billion (US$18.55 billion) in 2025 from RM83.50 billion (US$18.25 billion) in 2024.

Malaysia’s exports to India increased by 0.4 per cent to RM52.35 billion (US$12.25 billion) from RM52.13 billion (US$11.40 billion) in 2024.

This was mainly attributable to higher exports of non-metallic mineral products, which increased by RM1.20 billion, or 189.1 per cent, in 2025.

Malaysia’s imports from India decreased by 14 per cent to RM26.98 billion (US$6.29 billion) from RM31.37 billion (US$6.85 billion) in 2024. This was primarily due to lower imports of petroleum products, which decreased by RM4.22 billion, or 43.8 per cent, in 2025.

Trade was in Malaysia’s favour of RM25.37 billion in 2025.

Bilateral investment between the two countries reached US$5.6 billion as at the end of 2025, with Petronas’ unit Gentari, UMW Group and Selangor-based Selcon Bhd among the biggest investors.

-- BERNAMA