NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's official visit to India from Monday (Aug 19) to Aug 21 will further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries which has been established since 1957.

Malaysian High Commissioner to India, Datuk Muzafar Shah Mustafa, said in conjunction with the visit, Malaysia and India will sign seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering cooperation in the fields of digital, tourism, health, workforce, public administration, and traditional Ayurveda medicine.

"This visit is also expected to open opportunities for cooperation in the field of renewable energy and electric vehicles (EV), where India has advantages.

"In addition, India hopes to strengthen cooperation in the semiconductor industry with Malaysia,” he told Malaysian reporters here on Sunday (Aug 18).

Muzafar Shah said in conjunction with the visit, one of the focus of discussion between Anwar and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be regarding Malaysia's participation in BRICS, which is seen to be in line with India's efforts to strengthen its role in the international arena.

The meeting between Anwar and his counterpart is also expected to touch on issues in the Indo-Pacific region, especially as Malaysia prepares to take over as Asean chairman in 2025.

He said, apart from Malaysia, India is also seen as prioritising its relations with the Asean region and is committed to strengthening ties with Asean member countries in line with the country's Act East Policy.

Muzafar said India's desire to open an offshore campus - Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) - in Malaysia is also expected to be discussed during the meeting between the two leaders.

Anwar is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi around 9.40pm local time Monday (12.10 midnight Aug 20 Malaysian time) to start the three-day official visit.

The official ceremony for Anwar’s visit will be held at the grounds of the official residence of the President of India, Rashtrapati Bhavan, here, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Gandhi Memorial at the Raj Ghat Memorial Complex.

The Prime Minister is then scheduled to receive a courtesy call from India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, followed by a closed-door meeting with Narendra Modi.

Anwar will also deliver a speech themed 'Towards a Rising Global South: Leveraging on Malaysia-India Ties' on the afternoon of Aug 20.

The Prime Minister's visit to India is accompanied by the Human Resources Minister, Datuk Seri Steven Sim; Tourism, Culture and Arts Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

Also participating in the visit are Digital Minister, Gobind Singh Deo, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Public Services Director-General Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.

India-Malaysia bilateral trade is worth over US$20bil (US$1=RM4.43) in 2023-2024 and is projected to reach US$30bil by 2025. - Bernama

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/18/pm039s-visit-to-india-starting-monday-aug-19-can-strengthen-bilateral-relations-says-ambassador