Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met his newly-elected Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohammad and the two leaders had a productive exchange of views on strengthening the strategic partnership.
Mr. Modi, who arrived here on Thursday on the second leg of his three-nation tour, met 92-year-old Mahathir in his office at Perdana Putra Complex, Putrajaya.
“Glad to have met Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. I thank him for the warm welcome. We had productive discussions on further cementing India-Malaysia ties,” Mr. Modi tweeted in both Malay and English. The two leaders discussed ways to boost economic and cultural relations between India and Malaysia.
Mr. Modi is among the first world leaders to meet Mr. Mahathir after he became the world’s oldest elected leader when his opposition alliance registered a stunning victory over the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which had ruled Malaysia since 1957. Dr. Mahathir was sworn in as Malaysia’s Prime Minister on May 10.
First meeting
This is the first meeting between the two leaders. Mr. Modi last visited Malaysia in November 2015.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the two leaders had a productive exchange of views on strengthening the strategic partnership.
Mr. Modi congratulated Dr. Mahathir on assuming the post of Prime Minister of Malaysia, he added.
During his brief stopover, Mr. Modi also met with Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her husband Anwar Ibrahim.
“Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr. Wan Azizah called on PM @narendramodi during PM’s brief stopover in Kuala Lumpur. Good discussion took place to take our relationship to newer heights. Former DPM Anwar Ibrahim was also present,” Kumar tweeted.
