With a number of high-profile meetings and events, Pabitra Margherita, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, is spearheading India’s commercial and diplomatic engagement in Malaysia.
The ASEAN-India Tourism Professionals Exchange Program 2025 highlights the strategic significance of tourism cooperation between India and Southeast Asia, and Margherita took part in the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair during his visit to Kuala Lumpur from April 18–19, 2025.
The Indian delegation’s attendance at MATTA Fair is intended to exhibit India’s tourist potential, with a particular focus on the North-East area, highlighting its rich culture and unexplored chances. This year has been named the ASEAN-India Year of tourist.
Margherita met with the top business community in Malaysia, represented by the Malaysia-India Business Council (MIBC) and the Consortium of Indian Industries in Malaysia (CIIM), in addition to the agenda centred on tourism.
These organisations have a key role in fostering economic contacts between the two nations, signifying a strong and expanding commercial partnership. A larger initiative to strengthen economic ties, promote bilateral investments, and cultivate cooperation in industries including manufacturing, technology, textiles, and food processing includes Margherita’s meeting with these business executives.
Margherita also went to JadiBatek, one of the biggest batik handicraft hubs in Kuala Lumpur, where he emphasised batik as a distinctive textile art form and noted its enormous potential for cross-cultural cooperation between Malaysia and India. He underlined the potential for mutual support of traditional arts, which might improve interpersonal relationships and cross-cultural interactions.
Margherita spoke with Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad bin Alamin about strengthening the India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, further solidifying bilateral ties. In addition to discussing a wide range of topics, they also touched on regional and international matters of shared concern, which reflected the leaders of both countries’ common goal of strengthening collaboration in the strategic, cultural, and economic spheres.
In order to strengthen the diverse collaboration between India and Malaysia, Margherita’s trip to Malaysia is characterised by a significant emphasis on both economic and cultural diplomacy. The goals are to increase tourism, deepen business relationships, and encourage joint artistic and industrial endeavours.
