India, Feb. 9 -- Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim's visit to India in 2024, when the two countries elevated their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and PM Narendra Modi's recent trip to Kuala Lumpur have helped turn the page on the rancour that marked ties during the tenure of former PM Mahathir Mohamad. Bilateral relations during Mahathir's stints had a chequered history, with Malaysia often privileging religion over legacy, economic and geographical interests to rake up issues such as Kashmir and to back Pakistan at various international forums. Since the end of the Mahathir era, things have started to change.

Anwar, who has deep ties with India and its people, appears to have embraced New Delhi as an important strategic an...