DAKSHIN

Malaysia

India established diplomatic relations with the Federation of Malaya (predecessor state of Malaysia) in 1957 immediately after Malaysia’s independence. India and Malaysia have developed close political, economic and socio-cultural relations. There is a considerable goodwill for India in Malaysia at people-to-people level, which hosts the third largest PIO community in the world.

India and Malaysia are witnessing growing engagements in all aspects of bilateral relationship, including political, economic and trade, defence and security, tourism and education, health, human resources, public administration, etc.

Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Day was celebrated

Capacity Building & Other Exchanges

About 2,000 Indian students are studying in Malaysia, while an estimated 4,000 Malaysian students are studying in India, mostly medicine.
India has offered 30 slots under ITEC program for 2019-20 and 3 slots under ICCR General Scholarship Scheme. Since 2007, 280 Malaysians have attended different courses offered by 90 institutes under ITEC. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) offers 2 scholarships under the General Scholarship Scheme (GSS) and 2 scholarships under the Education Exchange Programme (EEP) every year. Malaysians pursuing Bachelor courses in India can also avail scholarships under the Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC).
The Indian Scholarship and Trust Fund was created in 1946 by PM Nehru to benefit and assist Malaysian-Indian students on an annual basis. Since 2006, more than RM2 million has been disbursed from the ISTF, benefitting more than 800 Malaysian Indian students. In the 2021-22 FY, 83 Malaysian-Indian students studying in various universities in Malaysia were awarded a total of RM 307,500 in scholarships.

Development Cooperation (Grants/ LoCs/ Assistance)

India and Malaysia signed a MoU on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine in October 2010. India also offers 20 seats under the AYUSH Scholarship Scheme to Malaysia to pursue Bachelor Degree in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy medicine in Indian institutions.