Kuala Lumpur, Feb 7 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday the imminent opening of an Indian Consulate in Malaysia, a move that promises to strengthen ties between the two nations. This announcement was made during the 'Selamat Datang Modiji' reception for the Indian community in Kuala Lumpur, which featured a vibrant cultural performance by 800 artists, recognized by the Malaysian Book of Records as the largest display of Indian traditional dance in the nation.

During the event, PM Modi highlighted the exhibition showcasing the Indian community's contributions in Malaysia. The Indian Government's recent decision to extend OCI card eligibility to Malaysian citizens of Indian descent up to the sixth generation has brought joy to the diaspora. In his remarks shared on X, he stated, "In the future, an Indian consulate will also be established in Malaysia, further enhancing our countries' relationship."

The announcement was met with enthusiasm from the Indian community, who warmly welcomed PM Modi alongside Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the consulate's opening will bolster ongoing collaboration between India and Malaysia, while improving India's reach to the Indian community residing there.

PM Modi expressed gratitude for the warm reception, emphasizing the incredible energy and pride of the Indian diaspora, noting their significant contributions to Malaysia's development while maintaining ties to their cultural roots. He also reaffirmed India's commitment to the welfare of its nationals in Malaysia and strengthening interpersonal connections between the two nations.

Reflecting on the history of the 'Azad Hind Fauj,' or the Indian National Army, in Malaysia, PM Modi paid tribute to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. He referred to the India-Malaysia partnership as IMPACT – India Malaysia Partnership For Advancing Collective Transformation, and urged the community to help realize the vision of Viksit Bharat and Malaysia Madani.

He pointed out that Malaysia hosts the second-largest Indian-origin community globally and emphasized the deep-rooted connections between the Indian and Malaysian people.

PM Modi remarked, "The Indian-origin community serves as a living bridge uniting our two nations. The cultural links are evident in our shared traditions and culinary delights, such as Roti Canai and Malabar Parotta, along with spices and Teh Tarik, which resonate in both Kuala Lumpur and Kochi."

He noted the mutual understanding facilitated by the linguistic similarities between their languages and Malay, mentioning the popularity of Indian films and music in Malaysia. He praised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's singing talent and his fondness for Tamil songs from the iconic M.G. Ramachandran (MGR).

Highlighting India’s rapid advancements, PM Modi discussed progress in economic development, infrastructure, green initiatives, solar energy, and technology. He noted that India has ascended from the 11th to the fourth-largest economy in the world within a decade, with aspirations to become the third-largest soon.

He shared insights on India's fintech revolution, revealing that 50 percent of all global real-time digital payments are processed in India. The introduction of UPI-based payment facilities in Malaysia is expected to enhance tourism significantly between the two countries.

In a gesture to honor the shared heritage, PM Modi announced the establishment of a dedicated Thiruvalluvar Centre at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur. Following a previous announcement in August 2024, a Thiruvalluvar Chair of Indian Studies was created at the university, along with Thiruvalluvar scholarships to promote academic exchanges.

He remarked on the enduring influence of saints like Thiruvalluvar and Swami Vivekananda in Malaysia, noting that the recent Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves are spiritually comparable to those at Palani. PM Modi also acknowledged the popularity of Garba in Malaysia and affirmed India's deep appreciation for its cultural ties with the Sikh community, which continues to uphold the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

He emphasized that Tamil is a treasured contribution from India to the world, highlighting the timelessness of Tamil literature, the global reach of Tamil culture, and the impactful contributions of Tamil people.

PM Modi recognized the longstanding presence of the Tamil diaspora in Malaysia, noting their contributions across various sectors. Inspired by this legacy, India has established the Thiruvalluvar Chair at the University of Malaya and will now set up the Thiruvalluvar Centre to further reinforce their shared heritage.