Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced his first foreign visit of 2026 in Malaysia, emphasizing the enduring nature of Tamil literature and the global reach of its culture. Addressing the Indian community in Kuala Lumpur on February 7, 2026, Modi underscored the significant role of language and culture in strengthening the ties between India and Malaysia.

Modi highlighted that Tamil is widely spoken among the Indian diaspora in Malaysia and is recognized as a minority language by the Malaysian government. He proclaimed, "Tamil is India's gift to the world. Tamil literature is eternal, and Tamil culture is global". He lauded the Tamil people for their contributions to humanity through their talents.

To illustrate the prominence of Tamil leaders in India, Modi mentioned Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan, all hailing from Tamil Nadu. Drawing a parallel with the Indian community in Malaysia, he acknowledged the Tamil diaspora's service to society in various fields.

Acknowledging the long-standing presence of the Tamil diaspora in Malaysia, Modi expressed pride in the establishment of the Thiruvalluvar Chair at the University of Malaya. He further announced the establishment of a Thiruvalluvar Centre to reinforce the shared heritage between India and Malaysia. Additionally, Thiruvalluvar scholarships were announced to promote academic exchanges between the two countries.

During his address, Modi also recognized the musical talents of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, noting his appreciation for Tamil songs by the legendary actor-politician M G Ramachandran (MGR). He also mentioned the popularity of Garba in Malaysia and India's deep appreciation for its cultural connections with the Sikh community, which continues to promote the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

The Prime Minister emphasized the strong emotional and historical connections between India and Malaysia, referring to the Indian diaspora as a "living bridge". He lauded the extension of OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card eligibility to the sixth generation of Malaysian citizens of Indian origin, further strengthening these ties.

Furthermore, Modi highlighted India's progress as a reliable global economic partner, emphasizing that trust has become a defining element of India's international engagement. He noted India's significant jump from being the 11th largest economy to the fourth largest in a decade. He pointed to recent trade agreements with the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union as evidence of this.

To further solidify the relationship between the two nations, Modi announced that India would soon open its first Consulate in Malaysia.

Prime Minister Modi's visit to Malaysia reciprocates Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's official visit to India in August 2024 and marks Modi's third visit to Malaysia. It also signifies the first visit since both countries elevated their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in August 2024.