First Official Foreign Visit of 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on his first foreign visit of 2026, underlining India’s commitment to deepening ties with Malaysia. The two-day official visit focused on strengthening cooperation in areas such as defense, economy, digital innovation, and people-to-people connections, reflecting the importance of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
Addressing a large gathering of the Indian community, Modi highlighted the contribution of the Indian diaspora — one of the largest in the world — in boosting bilateral relations and serving as a bridge between India and Malaysia.
UPI to Expand to Malaysia
One of the key announcements made by the Prime Minister during the visit was that India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a leading digital payments platform, will soon be launched in Malaysia, allowing seamless digital payments between Indians and Malaysians. This expansion follows UPI’s successful operation in several countries, with Bhutan being the first to adopt the system outside India.
UPI’s entry into Malaysia signals a major milestone in global digital payments integration, offering users instant QR-based transactions, reduced dependence on physical currency exchange, and better financial connectivity across borders.
Strategic Agreements & Bilateral Enhancements
During the visit, 11 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between India and Malaysia, covering a wide range of sectors including semiconductors, disaster management, digital economy, and trade. These agreements aim to accelerate cooperation and enhance economic growth for both nations.
Modi also thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his warm welcome at the airport and the hospitality shown throughout the visit.
Cultural Engagement and Community Connect
At the community event, PM Modi lauded a cultural showcase featuring 800 dancers performing in perfect harmony, a record-setting performance that highlighted the rich cultural bonds between India and Malaysia.
Broader Cooperation Focus
Additional discussions covered defense collaboration, intelligence sharing, maritime security, trade facilitation through local currency settlements, and people-to-people exchanges. The prime ministers emphasized their mutual desire to enhance cooperation across all strategic sectors.
