India, Malaysia boost bilateral relations to strategic partnership

Delhi eyes deeper links with S-E Asia, and KL is keen to tap into India’s economy

- Nirmala Ganapathy

India and Malaysia elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on Aug 20 following wideranging talks in New Delhi between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Premier Anwar Ibrahim that touched upon defence, trade and investment.

The first visit by a Malaysian prime minister in six years comes at a time when India is looking to deepen links with South-east Asia, while Kuala Lumpur has a keen interest in tapping into the world's fifth-largest economy.

Following talks with Datuk Seri Anwar, Mr Modi said the visit had "given a new direction" to ties.

"Today, we have decided that our partnership will be elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We believe that there is still a lot of potential in economic cooperation," added Mr Modi in a statement.

"We should increase mutual cooperation in new technological areas, such as semiconductors, fintech, defence industry, artificial intelligence and quantum. We have emphasised on accelerating the review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement between India and Malaysia," he said.

Calling Mr Modi his friend in Hindi, Mr Anwar said the discussions between the two prime ministers were "no holds barred".

"We realised that this (relationship) must be further strengthened in a multitude of areas... including military collaboration in terms of joint operations to safeguard our borders," said Mr Anwar.