KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and India have pledged to advance towards a comprehensive strategic partnership across multiple areas, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a joint address with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Anwar said this includes areas such as digitalisation, investment, trade, construction, agriculture, education and research.
"We have agreed to further enhance and establish a comprehensive strategic partnership. Yes, Malaysia and India have maintained good relations since the days of Jawaharlal Nehru and Tunku Abdul Rahman, but we recognise that in our generation, this must be further strengthened across various areas, as Narendra Modi aptly put it—digitalisation, investment, trade, construction, agriculture, education, research—across all fields.
"This also includes military collaboration in terms of joint operations to safeguard our borders and we look forward to these enhanced relations," he said during a live broadcast earlier today.
Anwar arrived in the Indian capital of New Delhi on Monday for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening the 67-year-old India-Malaysia ties and establishing a multi-sectoral cooperation agenda for the future.
Anwar added that they had also discussed the experience and expertise of both countries in the semiconductor sector, especially as Malaysia was considered a hub in Southeast Asia, and India has excelled in this area.
He said India and Malaysia shared many commonalities, as both countries were rich in culture and took pride in their respective civilisations.
"We share many commonalities that extend beyond just trade and investment. Cultural vibrancy is important to both India and Malaysia.
"Beyond that, we have initiated numerous new programmes, and we hope that Indian and Malaysian companies will collaborate further across all fields, including in challenging areas such as energy transition, digitalisation and food security," he said.
On other issues, including flights and visas, Anwar said they had established a timeframe of three months to resolve the issues, as Modi does not tolerate long delays.
"Knowing Modi's style of work, he doesn't tolerate long delays, so we have set a timeframe of three months for our staff to take action and report to us on the progress," he said.
Anwar said they had also discussed other issues, including sensitive topics, in a frank and open manner, demonstrating the true meaning of friendship.
"We discussed bilateral matters frankly, both in meetings and in private conversations, with no holds barred. We spoke as true brothers on all issues, sensitive or otherwise, because this is the true meaning of friendship.
"Thank you, Modi, and the Indian government, for the hospitality accorded to us and the delegation, and even more so for considering Malaysia a great and true friend. I assure you that this is reciprocal, and we will reinvigorate this working relationship across all fields.
"We will prove in a short span of time that Malaysia and India will emerge as strong brotherly nations," he said.