Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Invites Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar for Official Visit
The two leaders discuss strengthening cooperation in education, technology, innovation and people to people ties between Karnataka and Malaysia.
Karnataka’s new government has received a significant diplomatic boost after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim personally called Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday to congratulate him on assuming office.
According to an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office, the leaders held detailed discussions on expanding cooperation between Karnataka and Malaysia in several key sectors. The conversation focused on strengthening trade relations, educational partnerships and cultural exchanges.
During the call, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also formally invited Shivakumar to visit Malaysia to explore new opportunities for collaboration and deepen bilateral engagement.
Sharing a video clip of the conversation on social media platform X, Shivakumar thanked the Malaysian Prime Minister for his warm wishes and support. He said the discussion centred on enhancing cooperation in higher education, technology, innovation and closer connections between the people of Karnataka and Malaysia.
The Chief Minister highlighted that a large number of Malaysian students are currently pursuing higher education in Karnataka’s universities and educational institutions. He noted that this strong academic link provides an excellent foundation for expanding cooperation in the education sector.
Shivakumar assured the Malaysian leader that his government remains committed to providing a safe and high quality educational environment for international students and is keen to further strengthen academic partnerships.
The development comes just days after Shivakumar took oath as Karnataka’s Chief Minister on June 3. Since assuming office, he has received congratulatory messages from leaders within India and abroad.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged receiving greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed gratitude for the message. He said he plans to meet the Prime Minister in New Delhi soon to discuss Karnataka’s development priorities and seek support for key welfare and infrastructure projects.
Amid ongoing political differences between the ruling party at the Centre and the state government, Shivakumar stressed the importance of cooperation on development issues. Responding to recent political criticism, he said progress and public welfare should remain above politics and called for collaborative efforts between state and central governments.
Political observers view the invitation from Malaysia as an indication of Karnataka’s growing international profile, particularly in areas such as education, technology and innovation, where the state continues to attract global attention.