PM Modi holds bilateral talks with his Malaysian and Ethiopian counterparts, discusses defence and trade cooperation with India

PM Modi held bilateral meetings with Malaysian and Ethiopian Prime Ministers on the sidelines of the BRICSS Summit.
PM Modi with Malaysian PM Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim (L) and with Ethiopian PM Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali (R) (Images via PMIndia.gov)

Prime Minister Modi held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Ethiopia and Malaysia on Saturday (12th September), on the sidelines of the ongoing BRICS Summit in New Delhi. PM Modi welcomed Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmad Ali and Malaysian PM Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim at the Summit being chaired by India. He held bilateral discussions with them on a range of topics, including defence cooperation, investment and emerging technologies.

Both countries expressed the intent to enhance defence cooperation with India, including through joint personnel training and procurement of defence equipment from Indian companies.

Talks on defence, investment, and emerging technologies with Malaysia

The bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Malaysian PM Ibrahim was marked by a candid moment. At the beginning of their interaction, Malaysian PM Ibrahim pointed out PM Modi’s global popularity and said that he had received so many messages ahead of their meeting to be passed on to him.

After discussions with the Malaysian PM, Prime Minister Modi posted a warm message on X highlighting the deep ties between the two nations. “Maritime neighbours, close partners and a friendship powered by our people. Delighted to meet PM Anwar Ibrahim,” PM Modi wrote on X.

PM Modi said that his discussions with PM Ibrahim covered semiconductors, critical minerals, clean energy, infrastructure and talent mobility. He also highlighted the growing defence partnership between India and Malaysia and their commitment to advancing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

“Our growing defence partnership, expanding two-way investments and deeper people-to-people links reflect the new momentum in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. India and Malaysia will continue to work together and realise the full potential of this relationship,” PM Modi added.

“Prime Minister Modi appreciated Malaysia’s continued support in strengthening ASEAN-India relations. The leaders exchanged views on key regional and global issues of mutual interest. They expressed their continued commitment to advancing the India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” an Indian readout stated.

The two leaders also discussed the outcomes of PM Modi’s visit to Malaysia in February this year. They reviewed the two countries’ cooperation in areas including trade and investment, defence and security, semiconductors, infrastructure, digital economy, energy, fintech, education, tourism, and people-to-people ties.

Talks on defence, critical minerals, and clean energy with Ethiopia

After his meeting with the Ethiopian Prime Minister, PM Modi posted a message on X, informing how the interaction took the India-Ethiopia friendship to new levels. PM Modi said that their discussions covered defence, capacity building, investment linkages, critical minerals, clean energy and healthcare.

“The two leaders also exchanged perspectives on regional and international developments of mutual interest. They reaffirmed their commitment to close cooperation in multilateral fora,” said an Indian readout on the meeting. “The two leaders held discussions aimed at further strengthening the bilateral Strategic Partnership. They reviewed progress across key sectors, including economic cooperation, defence and security partnership, and capacity building. The meeting built on Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to Addis Ababa in December 2025,” it added.

The discussions come as India aims to expand its defence partnerships and exports, particularly among countries in the Global South. Speaking during the 18th BRICS Summit, PM Modi stressed that the Global South should emerge as a ‘rule-maker’. The Summit will conclude on September 13, 2026.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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