Indian community gears up for PM Narendra Modi's Malaysia visit

KUALA LUMPUR: There is palpable excitement here, especially among ethnic and expatriate Indians, who are eagerly looking forward to the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

More than 10,000 people are expected to attend the public reception on Sunday organised by 90 cultural and community organisations in Malaysia, including expatriates called Welcome Partners.

Modi is scheduled to address them at the Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Welcome Partners chairman, ethnic-Indian businessman Kishu Tirathrai said this was Modi's first visit to Malaysia and the Indian community wanted to mark "this important visit of the leader of the world's largest democracy".

Modi will arrive here on November 21 for the ASEAN and East Asia Summits.

"In the first segment of the afternoon's programme, there will be a cultural event showcasing the rich cultures of Malaysia and India.

"Modi will deliver a public address at the end of the cultural performance. This will be the highlight of the event. His visit will further strengthen the existing close ties between Malaysia and India," Kishu said.

"The events hosted by the Malaysian government will provide a good opportunity for businessmen from India and Malaysia to consider the many investment opportunities in the two countries," the businessman said.

"Modi's public address is expected to outline a glimpse of India in years to come," he added.

Malaysia's population of 28 million comprises eight per cent ethnic-Indians who are mostly Tamils.