 |
India PM | February 7-8, 2026: Your Essential Weekend Briefing on India's Prime Minister
Harrdiip Bedii
The India PM Weekend Newsletter for February 7-8, 2026 covers PM Modi and Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim boosting cooperation in defence, security, semiconductor and trade sectors during Malaysia visit with list of key outcomes, PM Modi congratulating Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on election victory, and Prime Minister welcoming framework for interim trade agreement between India and US.
NEWS IN DETAIL
PM Modi, Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim Boost Cooperation In Defence, Security, Semiconductor, Trade Sectors
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 8, 2026, held wide-ranging talks with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur. The talks covered political, defence and security cooperation, trade and investment, the digital economy, energy, education, tourism and regional issues.
On the second and final day of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Malaysia, the two sides committed to work on sixteen agreements and engagements across different sectors, including disaster management, audiovisual co-production, combating and preventing corruption, and semiconductors.
Prime Minister Modi said cooperation between the two countries will expand in intelligence sharing, maritime security, defence and counter-terrorism. PM Modi underlined that India’s position on terrorism is clear, with no double standards and no compromise.
The Prime Minister, who was on his third official visit to Malaysia and his first since ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, highlighted that cooperation between India and Malaysia is growing and both sides will deepen collaboration in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, health and food security. He noted that the CEO Forum has opened new opportunities for trade and investment.
Prime Minister Modi also said India remains committed to ASEAN centrality and congratulated Malaysia on its chairmanship of ASEAN. He said both countries agreed to complete the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement at the earliest. He added that India and Malaysia are working together for development, peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The India-Malaysia Joint Statement released after the talks reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to further expand the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two leaders agreed to enhance trade and expand cooperation in priority sectors, including infrastructure, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and digital technologies. They also welcomed the outcome of the 10th India-Malaysia CEOs’ Forum.
The Joint Statement also noted the formalisation of the Malaysia-India Digital Council to advance cooperation in the semiconductor ecosystem, digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and fintech. Both sides also supported efforts to establish cross-border payment linkages to facilitate business and tourism.
During the visit, the Prime Minister also interacted with leading business representatives, including executives from major Malaysian companies, to discuss investment plans and collaboration across key sectors. Malaysia is India’s third-largest trading partner within ASEAN, with bilateral trade close to twenty billion US dollars.
Both countries have also committed to advancing cooperation in emerging technologies. The MEA press briefing underlined that semiconductors remain a key area of engagement, aiming to combine India’s design strengths with Malaysia’s long experience in manufacturing, assembly, testing and packaging.
On February 7, 2026, after arriving in Malaysia, the Prime Minister addressed members of the Indian community at the “Selamat Datang Modi Ji” diaspora event in Kuala Lumpur. During the event, he announced the opening of a new Indian Consulate in Malaysia and the launch of the Thiruvalluvar Scholarship to promote educational and cultural links.
Prime Minister Modi also met Persons of Indian Origin and veterans of the Indian National Army during his engagements in Kuala Lumpur. He said India and Malaysia share a special bond as maritime neighbours, with strong people-to-people ties and a vibrant Indian diaspora. He also highlighted cultural and educational linkages, including the presence of the Tamil language in Malaysia, and said the audiovisual agreement signed during the visit will promote exchanges in film and music. The two-day visit concluded with both countries reaffirming their commitment to deepen cooperation across sectors and further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
PM Modi’s Malaysia Visit: List of Key Outcomes
During the official visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Malaysia, several significant agreements, memoranda, and announcements were made to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
The Government of India and the Government of Malaysia signed an Audio-Visual Co-production Agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Disaster Management, and an MoU on Combating and Preventing Corruption. In addition, an Exchange of Letters (EoL) on United Nations Peacekeeping Cooperation and an Exchange of Notes (EoN) on cooperation in the semiconductor sector were concluded. A Framework Agreement was also signed to establish the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA).
Further agreements included a Memorandum of Cooperation between India’s Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and Malaysia’s Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) on social security programs for Indian citizens in Malaysia, an EoN on Vocational Education and Training (TVET) cooperation, an EoN on security cooperation between the National Security Councils of India and Malaysia, and an EoN on cooperation in the field of health and medicine.
Several key announcements were also made, including the establishment of an Indian Consulate General in Malaysia, the creation of a dedicated Thiruvalluvar Centre at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, and the institution of Thiruvalluvar Scholarships for Malaysian nationals. Additionally, an agreement was signed between NIPL and PAYNET SDN BHD on cross-border payments, and an MoU was concluded between the University of Cyberjaya and the Institute of Training and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) on academic collaboration.
PM Modi Congratulates Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi On Election Victory
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 8, 2026, congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her victory in the elections to the House of Representatives.
In a social media post, the Prime Minister said that the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries plays a vital role in enhancing global peace, stability and prosperity. PM Modi expressed confidence that Takaichi’s able leadership will take India-Japan friendship to greater heights.
Prime Minister Welcomes Framework For Interim Trade Agreement between India And US
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 7, 2026, welcomed the agreement on a framework for an Interim Trade Agreement between India and the United States, terming it great news for both nations.
In a social media post, the Prime Minister thanked US President Donald Trump for his personal commitment to strengthening ties between the two countries and said the framework reflects the growing depth, trust and dynamism of the India-US partnership.
Prime Minister Modi noted that the agreement will strengthen ‘Make in India’ by opening new opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, MSMEs, start-up innovators and fishermen, while generating large-scale employment for women and youth.
He further said that the framework will deepen investment and technology partnerships, strengthen resilient and trusted supply chains, and contribute to global growth.
Reaffirming India’s vision of building a Viksit Bharat, PM Modi stated that India remains committed to future-oriented global partnerships that empower people and promote shared prosperity.