Trust has become India's strongest currency, PM Modi says in Malaysia

PRime government minister Narendra Modi on sat said republic of india is seen as a “trusted partner for ontogenesis,” a fact evident during recent merchandise deals with the United States, the United Kingdom and the “mother of all deals” with the European Union.PM Modi made the remarks in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur, where he arrived earlier in the day for a two-day visit.While addressing a community programme, PM Modi said that "Trust has become India's strongest currency and referred to the trade deals India has agreed with several countries, news agency PTI reported. He also said that the Indian diaspora served as a living bridge between India and Malaysia and announced a new consulate in the archipelago nation.Nearly three million people of Indian descent reside in Malaysia, making it the second largest in the world. Among them, an overwhelming majority is of Tamil origin.During his address, PM Modi highlighted the singing abilities of his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim and stressed his love of Tamil songs of legendary actor-politician M G Ramachandran (MGR).PM calls Tamil ‘India’s gift to the world'Talking about the Tamil language, PM said, “Tamil is India's gift to the world.” He further called Tamil literature eternal and global. He also gave reference of India's Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Union ministers S Jaishankar and Nirmala Sritharaman to state that Tamil people have "served humanity with their talents."Lauding the abilities of the Tamil diaspora, PM Modi said that, inspired by the history of Tamil, the Tiruvalluvar chair has been established at the University of Malaya. "We will now set up our Tiruvalluvar Centre to further strengthen our shared heritage," the prime minister was quoted as saying.This visit to Malaysia marks the PM's first foreign visit in 2026. PM Modi said he has been friends with the Malaysian Prime Minister even before Anwar Ibrahim became the Prime Minister. He also stressed ‘IMPACT’ (India-Malaysia Partnership for Advancing Collective Transformation), calling it a guiding word for India's relationship with Malaysia.The prime minister said India and Malaysia walk hand-in-hand as partners for progress and prosperity, and the spirit of "shared impact defines their relationship," he said.PM Modi arrived in Malaysia on Saturday and received a warm welcome at the event, where more than 800 dancers showcased Indian classical and folk dances. Following this, PM Modi and his counterpart travelled in the same car and arrived amid slogans of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and chants of 'Modi, Modi'.An announcement was made that the dance performance had entered the Malaysian Book of Records for the most number of performers in an Indian dance performance."I am personally excited to have a great friend from India joining us in Malaysia," Ibrahim told the gathering.The Malaysian prime minister recalled ancient ties between the two nations "long before embassies and trade agreements" came in vogue."India or Bharat is among Malaysia's top trading partners. It is not only goods that move between us, but in 2025 over 1.5 million Indian visitors came to Malaysia," Ibrahim said."I am proud to be a personal friend of Modi ji and India," the Malaysian prime minister said.Modi arrived in Kuala Lumpur to a grand red-carpet reception, with his Malaysian counterpart Ibrahim receiving him at the airport, signalling a new momentum in the bilateral ties."Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by my friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the airport. I look forward to our conversations and to further strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Malaysia," Modi said on social media.This is the third visit of the prime minister to Malaysia, and the first after the elevation of the India-Malaysia bilateral relationship to a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership', in August 2024.