Modi Meets Malaysian and Ethiopian Leaders to Strengthen Defense Ties Ahead of BRICS Summit

New Delhi: Ahead of the start of the BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held separate bilateral meetings with the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Ethiopia. Both countries have expressed their desire to strengthen defence ties with India. India has already accorded strategic partnership status to its relations with these two countries. Malaysia is ramping up its defence preparedness due to China's aggressive policies in Southeast Asia, while Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government in Ethiopia is pushing for military modernisation. Both countries see huge potential for the Indian defence industry. That is why Prime Minister Modi's meetings with these two leaders assume great significance. PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Malaysia has been invited as the chair of ASEAN. Modi appreciated Malaysia's participation in the BRICS Summit as a partner country. The two leaders took stock of the outcomes of PM Modi's visit to Malaysia in February 2026, ranging from education, defence investment, digital security, people-to-people, and fintech sectors.