Malaysian automotive players including DRB-HICOM and Proton Holdings held talks with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on opportunities to expand into India, one of the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.

The engagement comes as Malaysia seeks to deepen industrial cooperation with India and open new opportunities for its automotive companies in manufacturing, technology, engineering and supply-chain development.

Proton has explored entering India several times through potential local manufacturing partnerships but has yet to establish a commercial sales or manufacturing presence in the country.

The national carmaker's earlier efforts included discussions with Mahindra & Mahindra in 2009, while subsequent plans considered local assembly of Proton models. However, those initiatives did not result in a sustained commercial launch.

DRB-HICOM, meanwhile, has established business links with Indian companies, including Tata Motors, but Proton vehicles are not currently manufactured or sold in India.

The latest discussions could give Proton an opportunity to reassess the Indian market as the country expands its automotive manufacturing base and accelerates the development of electric vehicles and advanced mobility technologies.

India's large domestic market and growing automotive ecosystem could provide Malaysian companies with opportunities across the value chain, including components, engineering, technology, manufacturing, mobility solutions and logistics.

The country's shift towards electric and higher-technology vehicles could also create scope for Malaysian companies to move into higher-value segments and develop partnerships with Indian manufacturers and suppliers.

Renault India also met with Anwar as the prime minister stepped up engagements with major Indian and Malaysian businesses to translate stronger bilateral ties into investment, trade and technology partnerships.

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan and other Malaysian delegates participated in the discussions in New Delhi.

Anwar also met representatives of Motherson Group, a global specialist in automotive design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly and logistics, with extensive operations across the automotive supply chain.

The engagements reflect Malaysia's push to use high-level economic diplomacy to open new channels for investment, technology transfer, industrial partnerships and market access in India.

The meetings also complement government-to-government discussions as Malaysia seeks to leverage its participation in BRICS to widen access to emerging markets and strengthen economic links with major developing economies.