Putrajaya: A selection of "Friendship Appetisers," symbolising the robust bilateral relationship between Malaysia and India, was served at a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in honour of visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Seri Perdana Complex today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the luncheon menu celebrated Modi's heritage with traditional Gujarati dishes like Dhokla and Khandvi, alongside Malaysian appetizers including Rojak Pasembur and Tauhu Sumbat. Modi, born in Vadnagar, Gujarat, and former Chief Minister of the state from 2001 to 2014, is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia, having arrived yesterday.
The Indian Prime Minister received an official welcome at the Perdana Putra Complex earlier in the day before proceeding to bilateral talks with Anwar at Seri Perdana, the official residence of the Prime Minister. During the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding on key issues such as combating and preventing corruption, training standards for seafarers, and disaster management.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and senior government officials accompanied Modi on his visit. The luncheon was also attended by several Malaysian ministers, including Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, and Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
India and Malaysia enjoy longstanding historical, civilisational, and cultural ties, supported by a significant Indian diaspora of about 2.9 million in Malaysia. Economic relations between the two countries are thriving, with total bilateral trade reaching RM79.49 billion (US$18.59 billion) in 2025. Malaysia's exports accounted for RM52.3 billion (US$12.24 billion), with key exports including palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products, as well as electrical and electronic products, while imports mainly consisted of agricultural, petroleum, and chemical products.