India, Sept. 12 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral meetings with the leaders of Ethiopia and Malaysia on Saturday put India's relations with the two countries on a new trajectory, with defence cooperation, investment and emerging technologies emerging as key areas of discussion, government sources said.

Both Ethiopia and Malaysia expressed keenness to deepen defence cooperation with India, including through joint personnel training and procurement of defence equipment from Indian companies, the sources said.

The discussions come as India seeks to expand its defence partnerships and exports, particularly among countries in the Global South. A growing number of nations have shown interest in Indian-made military platforms, missil...