In a major step to strengthen historic ties, India has expanded Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) eligibility to include up to the sixth generation of Malaysian nationals with Indian ancestry.
This means thousands more families with Indian roots in Malaysia can now reconnect with their heritage and gain access to the benefits and recognition of OCI status.
The announcement came through the Indian High Commission in Malaysia following the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated virtually. The move also followed discussions between Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan during the ASEAN Summit engagements earlier this week.
In another big step to uplift the Malaysian Indian community, the Indian High Commission also confirmed an additional RM3 million to the Indian Scholarship and Trust Fund (ISTF) — a fund dedicated to supporting students from financially challenged Malaysian Indian families.
For many young Malaysian Indians, this support means opportunity, confidence, and a real chance to build a brighter future through education.
To further deepen cultural and academic collaboration, distinguished Indian academic and anthropologist Prof. A. Chellaperumal has taken up the ICCR Thiruvalluvar Chair of Indian Studies at Universiti Malaya, marking another milestone in educational partnerships between the two nations. This initiative was earlier announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to India in 2024.
This development is more than policy — it’s about people, identity, and shared progress.
For many families, it represents recognition, pride, and renewed connection to their ancestral legacy.
And for the young and ambitious in the Malaysian Indian community, it’s a reminder: your roots matter, your future matters, and the world is opening new doors for you.
