He also introduced a new Thiruvalluvar Scholarship for students who wish to study in India and urged youth to join the ‘Know India’ programme.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that India’s digital payments system, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), will soon be launched in Malaysia, in a move aimed at boosting economic and technology ties between the two countries.
The announcement came as Modi began his two-day visit to Malaysia; his first foreign trip of 2026 focused on expanding cooperation in trade, defense and people-to-people relations. India and Malaysia upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in August 2024, and officials expect this visit to deepen collaboration across sectors.
Addressing the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur, Modi announced that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card eligibility has been extended to Malaysian citizens of Indian origin up to the sixth generation. He said India remains committed to supporting overseas Indians and will continue backing the Indian Scholarship Trust Fund. He also introduced a new Thiruvalluvar Scholarship for students who wish to study in India and urged youth to join the ‘Know India’ programme.
Modi thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for personally welcoming him at the airport and attending the diaspora event, calling it a sign of strong friendship between the two nations. He said the visit fulfilled a promise he made after being unable to travel to Malaysia for last year’s ASEAN Summit.
The Prime Minister also praised a cultural performance by around 800 dancers from the Indian community, calling it a celebration of shared heritage between India and Malaysia.
Highlighting close cultural links, Modi said the Indian-origin community in Malaysia serves as a strong bridge between the two countries through language, food, cinema and music. Anwar Ibrahim, in his remarks, said he values his friendship with Modi and has long followed his public life.
During official talks, India is also expected to raise security and strategic issues, including the extradition of controversial preacher Zakir Naik, who is currently in Malaysia. Officials described the visit as forward-looking and significant for strengthening bilateral ties.
