AMN
India and Malaysia today resolved to work with renewed vigour to give further momentum to their strategic partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysia counterpart Mohd Najib Tun Andul Razak led the bilateral talks held between the two countries. In a Joint Statement, the two leaders expressed desire to take their Strategic Partnership to the next level by deepening existing areas and exploring new areas of cooperation especially in defence and security.
The two countries have signed two Memoranda of Understanding, on cooperation in cyber security and in area of public administration and governance on the lines of Niti Aayog of India. An agreement on cultural exchange programme was also signed by the two sides.
Malaysia agreed to work on a mechanism to recognize more number of IT and Engineering colleges of India. The two countries expressed concern over the growing terrorism in the world and the two incidents involving Malaysian civil airliners.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today assured the Malaysia Business community that India has emerged as Policy driven state by almost ending regulatory uncertainties which provides right environment for investments. He interacted with the Corporate Malaysia a short while ago. Officials in the close circles said he told the business big wigs of Malaysia that India wants progress and have the requirement. Stating that India is the fastest growing state in the world, he said ample scope existed in India for investments. He invited them to personally see the change and expertise it has.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak today jointly inaugurated the over USD 1.1 million ‘Torana Gate’ built by India. Mr. Modi said, it was not merely a piece of art on stone but connecting of two nations. Mr. Modi, who held talks with Mr. Najib earlier in the day, inaugurated the gate at the Little India enclave in Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur.
The gateway, which is a gift from India to mark the launch of Kuala Lumpur’s Litte India project, is an exact replica of the Sanchi gate built by Emperor Ashok. Dedicating it to the people of Malaysia, Mr Modi hailed the universal brotherhood and equality propagated by Buddhism. He thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak for his farsightedness and love shown to India, and hoped that India-Malaysian relations would become ”better, deeper, and stronger” under Mr Razak.
The gate, he said, would prove to be a new tourist destination for the hordes of Indian tourists visiting Malaysia. He urged that the two countries should go beyond their shared history and chart a new course. Mr.Najib said the gateway is symbolic and substantive, adding that it is a clear signal of closer cooperation and people to people interaction. The intricately carved Torana Gate, inspired by the Toranas of the great Buddhist sculpture of Sanchi, has carvings and relief work representing ancient Indian art as well as the Islamic art form.
Kshitij Jain, the chief designer and architect of the Torana, said, “Toranas, built by the great Mauryan dynasty ruler, Ashoka, in first century BC, essentially depict symbols related to Buddhism.
Today evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Singapore in a 2-day visit. Mr. Modi along with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsein Loong will sign the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership tomorrow to elevate bilateral relations. Official sources said that the Strategic Partnership will broaden and deepen ties in various sectors including defence relations, economic and cultural cooperation, skills development and capacity building. Tomorrow he will be engaged in a series of events including meeting with President and Prime Minister of Singapore.
Both the Prime Ministers will also release a joint stamp to mark the 50 years of diplomatic relation of India and Singapore. Mr. Modi’s others engagement will include meeting with CEOs, addressing India- Singapore Economic Convention and to take part in community event, among others.
Meanwhile, stage has been set for the 37th prestigious Singapore Lecture to be delivered by Mr. Modi this evening. The Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong along with policy makers, academicians and businessmen are expected to attend the program.