Car diplomacy: PM Modi shares vehicle with PM Anwar Ibrahim in Malaysia, says ‘Celebrating the India-Malaysia people-to-people connect!’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about "celebrating the India-Malaysia people-to-people connect."

Feb 8, 2026 - 00:00

Car diplomacy: PM Modi shares vehicle with PM Anwar Ibrahim in Malaysia, says ‘Celebrating the India-Malaysia people-to-people connect!’

The Prime Minister of India(BHARAT), Narendra Modi, reached Malaysia for an official 2-day visit on Saturday, i.e., February 7. As PM Modi arrived, he shared a picture of sharing the same vehicle with the Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and wrote “Celebrating the India(BHARAT)-Malaysia people-to-people connect!” on X. He also added that the two leaders were going to attend the community programme in the country’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur.

PM Modi reaches Malaysia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday shared the news of landing in Malaysia. Prime Minister mentioned that he was deeply touched by the welcome from Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim. He wrote, “I look forward to our conversations and to further strengthening the bonds of friendship between India(BHARAT) and Malaysia.”

Landed in Kuala Lumpur.
Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by my friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the airport. I look forward to our conversations and to further strengthening the bonds of friendship between India(BHARAT) and Malaysia.@anwaribrahim pic.twitter.com/z3NLyv4QGW
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 7, 2026

Also Read: Another ‘car diplomacy’? PM Modi shares ride with crown Prince Al Hussein Bin Abdullah II to Jordan Museum; WATCH video

Goal of PM Modi’s first visit to Malaysia in 2026

As narrated by PM Modi, the visit is aimed at boosting the comprehensive strategic partnership. In addition, the visit will increase the cooperation between the two countries in various sectors and domains. He also added that the relations of India(BHARAT) with Malaysia are “deeply rooted”.

Narendra Modi addressed the community programme and said, “Last year, I could not visit Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit. But I promised my friend that I will come to Malaysia soon. As promised, I am here. This is my first foreign visit in 2026.”

Car Diplomacy by PM Modi

The trend of “car diplomacy” is now widely talked about. It was unknowingly started by the India(BHARAT)n Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which the informal car rides with the leaders of the countries are used to communicate about policies and better relations.

One such has been the PM’s visit to Malaysia, when the leaders of the two countries shared the same vehicle to reach the community programme in Kuala Lumpur.

Celebrating the India(BHARAT)-Malaysia people-to-people connect!
PM Anwar Ibrahim and I are heading to the community programme in Kuala Lumpur.@anwaribrahim pic.twitter.com/wkMCYuatB6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 7, 2026