India seeks deeper defence and business links with Ethiopia and Malaysia after BRICS talks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed and Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim at the BRICS summit, sparking interest in joint defence training, equipment purchases and expanded trade.
At the recent BRICS summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate meetings with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, focusing on defence and economic collaboration. Both Ethiopia and Malaysia expressed enthusiasm for deeper defence ties, seeking joint training programmes and the purchase of Indian-made systems such as the BrahMos missile. India highlighted opportunities for its mining firms in Ethiopia and explored semiconductor partnerships with Malaysia, aiming to boost trade and technology exchange.
These discussions are part of a broader Indian strategy to expand defence exports to emerging markets, building on recent agreements with Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and others. Additional interest from nations across Africa and Asia in Indian platforms underscores New Delhi’s ambition to become a cost-effective security partner. The talks also touched on maritime and aviation equipment sales to Indian Ocean littoral states, further widening India’s regional footprint.
Why it matters
The talks could boost India's defence exports and deepen economic ties with two strategically located countries.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report Modi’s meetings with Ethiopia and Malaysia as focused on expanding defence and economic cooperation, with no substantive difference in the core facts presented.
LEFT
Frames the talks as part of India’s broader strategy to expand defence exports and deepen business links with emerging markets.
CENTER
Frames the meetings as opening new avenues for defence, investment and strategic partnership, highlighting India’s growing role as a supplier.
The left emphasises
- defence ties and joint training programmes
- purchase of Indian-made systems such as the BrahMos missile
- opportunities for mining firms in Ethiopia and semiconductor partnerships with Malaysia
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