PM Modi hails Tamil as India’s link to world in Malaysia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday underscored the deep cultural and civilisational bonds between India and Malaysia while addressing the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur, describing the community as a “living bridge” that connects the hearts of the two nations.Highlighting the global significance of Tamil, Modi said, “Tamil is India’s link to the world. Tamil literature is eternal and Tamil culture is global.” He noted that Malaysia is home to one of the largest Indian-origin populations globally, with a significant number of Tamil speakers, and acknowledged the Malaysian government’s recognition of Tamil as a minority language.

#WATCH | At joint press statement with Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, PM Narendra Modi says, "Shared love for Tamil language also connects India and Malaysia. In Malaysia, the strong and living presence of Tamil can be seen in education, media and cultural life. I am confident that… pic.twitter.com/7usEDmpds1

— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2026

Praising the role of the Indian community in preserving traditions abroad, the prime minister said the diaspora has played a vital role in strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Malaysia. “There is so much that connects Indian and Malaysian hearts. You keep our cultural values alive and vibrant,” he said.Modi also spoke about India’s growing stature on the global stage, calling the country a trusted partner for growth. Referring to recent agreements with the United States and the European Union, he said, “Earlier, India was seen only as a big market. Today, India is a hub for investment and trade. Trust has become India’s strongest currency.”
Recalling his long-standing association with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Modi expressed appreciation for the warm gestures extended during the visit. “Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and I have been friends even before he became prime minister. He personally came to the airport to receive me and drove me to the event. This reflects his affection for India and for all of you,” he said.Touching upon cultural exchanges, Modi said Indian music and cinema enjoy wide popularity in Malaysia. He also referred to viral videos of Anwar Ibrahim singing Hindi songs and noted the Malaysian leader’s admiration for Tamil film legend M.G. Ramachandran (MGR). “It is heartening to see such love for Indian and Tamil culture,” he added.
The prime minister extended greetings ahead of upcoming festivals, including Shivratri, Ramzan, and Hari Raya, wishing people happiness, peace, and good health.Modi arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday on a two-day visit, his first to Malaysia since 2015. On arrival, he shared a car ride with Anwar Ibrahim, later posting on social media that the moment celebrated the strong people-to-people connect between the two countries.India–Malaysia ties, which saw some strain during 2019–2020 over political and trade-related issues, have improved significantly in recent years. During Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to India in August 2024, the two sides signed nine agreements, marking a renewed momentum in bilateral relations.During the ongoing visit, Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Malaysian counterpart to review progress under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The 10th meeting of the India–Malaysia CEOs’ Forum is also set to take place in Kuala Lumpur, aimed at boosting trade, investment, and business cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs said.