KERALAM, Sept 14 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for Malaysia and India to strengthen cooperation in the electrical and electronics (E&E) and semiconductor sectors to enhance their respective capabilities and benefit from each other’s strengths.
He said Malaysia was positioning itself as a key player in the E&E and semiconductor sectors in Southeast Asia, while India also possessed considerable strengths in these areas.
“It is an emerging economy and is focusing more in terms of E&E and semiconductors. In Southeast Asia, and in the energy economy, we are probably among the largest now, including exports to the United States.
“With India’s strength in E&E and semiconductors, can you imagine if that synergy is fortified to enhance our capabilities and make sure that we benefit from one another? I think it is important,” Anwar said.
He was speaking at a high-tea engagement with the Governor of Keralam, the Minister for Industries and Commerce, and prominent Indian business leaders in Calicut here yesterday.
Around 30 companies from India, Malaysia and the Gulf countries participated in the engagement, representing sectors including medical and healthcare, semiconductors, construction, artificial intelligence (AI), digital technology, information technology, engineering, retail, renewable energy and transportation.
The prime minister said the engagement provided an opportunity to strengthen business-to-business linkages and explore greater cooperation in high-value sectors.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, noted that India was an important emerging economy and said Malaysia should continue to diversify its trade and investment relationships while maintaining strong ties with its existing major partners.
Modern diplomatic relations between Putrajaya and New Delhi were established in 1957, shortly after Malaysia gained independence, and India remains Malaysia’s largest trading partner in South Asia, with bilateral trade reaching US$18.55 billion (RM79.33 billion) in 2025.
Anwar also highlighted the historical links between Keralam and Southeast Asia, particularly through the Malabar Coast, which he described as an important part of the region’s cultural, religious and intellectual history.
He said Keralam’s historical connections with Southeast Asia should be fully utilised to further strengthen cooperation between Malaysia and Keralam, particularly in trade and investment.
Anwar said Malaysia should promote greater two-way investment, encouraging capital flows from Malaysia to Keralam as well as from Keralam and neighbouring Indian states into Malaysia.
Also present were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, Malaysia’s Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy High Commissioner Sharifah Ezneeda Wafa, and Consul General of Malaysia to South India Saravana Kumar Kumaravasagam.
Anwar then departed Keralam for an official visit to the Maldives after completing his five-day working visit to India.
The aircraft carrying the prime minister departed Calicut International Airport at 7.26 pm local time (9.56 pm Malaysian time) for Velana International Airport in Malé.
