India and Malaysia Saturday inked seven pacts to expand cooperation in areas like air services and sports. The other areas in which MoUs were signed are Mutual Recognition of Educational Qualifications and expanding cooperation in development of Urea and Ammonia manufacturing plants.
The pacts were signed after delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Mohammed Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak at Hyderabad House in New Delhi this evening.
In a joint statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated continuing cooperation of the two governments in the joint anti-terrorism efforts in view of emerging security threats. He sought more participation of Malaysian companies in India, saying much more needs to be done to improve infrastructure. Mr Modi said he and Mr Razak agreed on a shared vision to enhance the strategic partnership and a vision that prioritizes an action oriented approach. He said, the two sides agreed to further strengthen the strategic partnership to shape an effective response to the common concerns and challenges.
The Prime Minister lauded cooperation in sectors of food security, traditional medicine and educational exchanges between the two sides. Mr Modi said that educational exchanges between India and Malaysia are strong promoters of people-to-people contacts.
He also said that Prime Minister Razak’s visit to India has come at a time when both countries are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammed Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak described the relationship between India and Malaysia as historic. Mr Razak said militancy and fight against IS as well as international terrorism was discussed between him and Mr Modi. He said Malaysia believes in making world a safer place.
He said, defence and strategic partnership is important for Malaysia and India to tackle terrorism and extremism. He complimented Mr Modi on bold economic reforms and congratulates him on India’s high economic growth.
The visiting dignitary said, history, culture, food, language and films binds India and Malaysia.
Earlier, President Pranab Mukherjee said that India-Malaysia relations are historic and both countries have been able to make significant strides in the last 10 years.
Interacting with Prime Minister Razak who called on the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Mr Mukherjee said, relations between India and Malaysia are centuries old and is best ever so far. He said, the two countries have taken their strategic partnership forward, particularly after the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Malaysia in November 2015. The President said, the Malaysian Prime Minister’s visit comes at a time when India and Malaysia are celebrating the 60th anniversary of India-Malaysia diplomatic relations.
He said, commercial and investment relations have become the mainstay of India-Malaysia relations and there is also considerable potential for collaboration in defence production especially under the Make in India initiative. Mr Mukherjee thanked Malaysia for the close cooperation on counter-terrorism issues.
Reciprocating the President’s sentiments, Mr Razak said, India has always supported Malaysia in difficult times. He said, Malaysia wants to raise relations to new heights.
The Malaysian Prime Minister said, bilateral relations between India and Malaysia is multi-dimensional and the two countries can collaborate in a wide variety of fields. He added that Malaysia would like to achieve target of 15 billion dollars bilateral trade by 2020.