Kuala Lumpur, Feb 7 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday celebrated the magnificent display of Indian culture in Malaysia, particularly the record-setting dance performance at the 'Selamat Datang Modiji' event, which saw participation from over 12,000 members of the Indian diaspora, supporters of India across the nation, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

"A magnificent display of Indian culture in Malaysia! A standout feature of the community program in Kuala Lumpur was a dance performance that has broken records in Malaysia. Congratulations to everyone involved in this performance," PM Modi shared on X following the event.

The resilience and spirit of the Indian community, PM Modi remarked, showcase the enduring strength of India-Malaysia relations.

The atmosphere was filled with warmth, energy, and enthusiasm as Prime Minister Modi noted that the Indian diaspora acts as a vibrant bridge between both nations. He emphasized their crucial role in fortifying shared heritage and bilateral relations, thanking his Malaysian counterpart for his unwavering commitment to enhancing India-Malaysia friendship.

During his address, PM Modi underscored that Malaysia hosts the second-largest Indian-origin community globally and highlighted the many connections that bind Indian and Malaysian hearts.

"The Indian-origin community serves as a living bridge between our two nations. The cultural ties are evident in shared traditions and flavors, from Roti Canai to Malabar Parotta and the spices in Teh Tarik, which resonate in both Kuala Lumpur and Kochi," PM Modi commented.

He further noted that the people of both countries understand each other well, likely due to the numerous common words across their languages, and mentioned the popularity of Indian films and music in Malaysia. PM Modi also remarked that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim possesses a talent for singing and enjoys Tamil songs by the legendary MGR.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated the significance of the Indian-origin community in Malaysia, which has maintained its traditions over centuries. He referenced his mention of the community in his 'Mann Ki Baat' program, where he highlighted that over 500 schools in Malaysia educate children in Indian languages.

"The influence of saints like Thiruvalluvar and Swami Vivekananda is evident in Malaysia, and the recent Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves are divine and reminiscent of those at Palani," he noted. Prime Minister Modi also remarked on the popularity of Garba in Malaysia and expressed India's deep appreciation for its cultural ties with the Sikh community, which continues to propagate the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Referring to Tamil as India's gift to the world, PM Modi stated that Tamil literature is timeless, Tamil culture is global, and Tamil individuals have significantly contributed to humanity through their talents.

"India's Vice President Thiru C P Radhakrishnan, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr Murugan all hail from Tamil Nadu," he told the extensive gathering.

Prime Minister Modi further remarked that members of the Tamil diaspora in Malaysia are making contributions across various domains and highlighted the longstanding presence of the Tamil diaspora in Malaysia. He mentioned that inspired by this history, India established the Thiruvalluvar Chair at the University of Malaya and plans to set up a Thiruvalluvar centre to further enhance shared heritage.