Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday interacted with distinguished members of the Indian diaspora in Malaysia, including Ministers, Members of Parliament and veterans of the Azad Hind Fauj, highlighting the community’s vital contribution to Malaysia’s development and to the strengthening of India–Malaysia relations.
Among those present at the interaction were Malaysian Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Human Resources Ramanan Ramakrishnan, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department M. Kulasegaran, and Deputy Minister of National Unity R. Yuneswaran, along with other prominent leaders of Indian origin.
During the interaction, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the significant role played by the Indian diaspora in Malaysia’s social and economic progress and described the community as a strong bridge between the two countries. He said the diaspora has been instrumental in deepening people-to-people ties and reinforcing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Malaysia.
The leaders of Indian origin expressed appreciation for the Prime Minister’s leadership and for initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. They also welcomed India’s development trajectory and the vision of building a Viksit Bharat.
The diaspora representatives thanked the Prime Minister for several welfare measures announced for the Indian community in Malaysia, including the decision to open India’s first Consulate in the country, the establishment of a Thiruvalluvar Centre at Universiti Malaya, the institution of Thiruvalluvar Scholarships, the extension of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card eligibility up to the sixth generation of Indian-origin people in Malaysia, and the replenishment of the Indian Scholarships Trust Fund with three million Malaysian ringgit to support Malaysian Indian students.
Prime Minister Modi also met Jeyaraj Raja Rao, a veteran of the Balak Sena of the Azad Hind Fauj, and Rathakrishnan, President of the Netaji Welfare Foundation. He expressed deep appreciation for the courage and sacrifices of the Indian National Army and its veterans and reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to the vision of Subhas Chandra Bose of building a strong and modern India.
