Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a 2-day visit to Malaysia. A hallmark of the visit was a record-breaking grand celebration of Indian culture by more than 800 dancers during the 'Selamat Datang Modiji' event attended by over 12,000 members of the Indian diaspora and Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim.

Modi applauded the determination and spirit of the Indian community that emboldens an enduring India-Malaysia relationship. PM Modi highlighted that Malaysia has the second-largest Indian-origin community in the world and noted that there is much that connects Indian and Malaysian hearts. He talked of shared traditions and flavors, linking Roti Canai with Malabar Parotta and coconut, spices, and Teh Tarik, which feel familiar both in Kuala Lumpur and Kochi.

He said Indians and Malays understand each other well due to the large number of common words between languages and popular Bollywood movies and music in Malaysia. Modi noted that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sings very well and also loves Tamil songs of the legendary Tamil film actor and late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran. Modi recalled that in his monthly radio broadcast program ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ he mentioned that over 500 schools in Malaysia teach children in Indian languages.

Considering the large number of Indian diaspora in Malaysia is of Tamil origin going back centuries, Modi said Tamil language is India's gift to the world, Tamil literature is eternal, Tamil culture is global, and Tamil people have served humanity through their talents.