Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meetings with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday opened new areas for defence and economic cooperation. Defence procurement, joint training, investment and emerging technologies featured prominently in the discussions, government sources said.

Both Ethiopia and Malaysia showed interest in expanding defence ties with India. The discussions included joint training of personnel and procurement of defence equipment from Indian companies. The talks come as India steps up defence partnerships and exports, especially with countries across the Global South.

India’s growing defence outreach has already attracted interest from several countries. Indonesia finalised a BrahMos arrangement with India in July 2026 and also signed an agreement on air-to-air missile cooperation involving the Astra missile. Vietnam has also emerged as a key potential partner, with India confirming a BrahMos deal, though details remain undisclosed.

The Philippines is an existing BrahMos customer. It signed a $375-million agreement for three shore-based anti-ship missile batteries, with deliveries completed in 2026. Armenia has also purchased several Indian systems, including Pinaka rocket launchers, Akash-1S air defence systems, ATAGS artillery guns and Swathi weapon-locating radars. India supplied about 43% of Armenia’s arms imports during 2022-24.

Thailand has reportedly examined the BrahMos shore-based anti-ship system, while Malaysia has expressed interest in BrahMos, including a possible air-launched version for its Su-30 fighters. Nigeria has shown interest in the Tejas fighter, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited confirming discussions. Egypt has also expressed interest in Tejas. Argentina had earlier shown interest, although British-origin components remain a challenge.

The UAE has reportedly examined BrahMos and India’s Akashteer air-defence command-and-control system. Countries such as Chile, Brazil and Saudi Arabia have also shown interest in BrahMos, though talks remain at an early stage. India’s defence engagement also extends across the Indian Ocean, with Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Seychelles and Sri Lanka receiving Indian patrol aircraft, vessels, helicopters and radars.

During Modi’s meeting with Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia sought greater participation from Indian mining companies. The two sides discussed expanding economic engagement and investment opportunities, along with defence cooperation, joint personnel training and defence procurement from India. Greater Indian investment could support Ethiopia’s efforts to develop its natural-resource sector and attract foreign partnerships.

Modi’s meeting with Anwar Ibrahim focused on semiconductors, defence and investment. India and Malaysia discussed expanding cooperation in the semiconductor sector, including technology, workforce development and supply-chain resilience.

Malaysia’s interest in BrahMos, including a possible air-launched variant for its Su-30 aircraft, could further strengthen defence-industrial cooperation. The two countries also discussed increasing business participation, with India seeking greater investment from Malaysian companies and encouraging Indian firms to expand their presence in Malaysia.