In a strategic move to deepen bilateral defence ties, India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh met with Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and his Malaysian counterpart, Mohamad Hasan in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. The bilateral meeting took place as part of Singh’s pivotal three-day visit intended to enhance defence and strategic relationships between the two nations.
The visit also saw Singh unveiling a bust of Indian freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Kuala Lumpur, acknowledging Netaji’s enduring legacy of bravery, leadership, and patriotism in Malaysia.
Singh took to Twitter, commending Ibrahim’s positive approach towards strengthening India-Malaysia bilateral relations. The Union defence ministry further echoed Singh’s sentiments, expressing the shared intent of both defence ministers to explore new initiatives for enriching their cooperation.
Significantly, Singh highlighted the productive meeting with Mohamad Hasan, where they reviewed the multiple facets of the bilateral defence engagement. They discussed the future plan for the fourth decade of India-Malaysia Defence Cooperation.
Additionally, Singh held a fruitful dialogue with H.E. Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, the Foreign Minister of Malaysia. The two ministers discussed a myriad of mutual interests aimed at amplifying the India-Malaysia Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
According to an official release by the Ministry of Defence, India and Malaysia share a common interest in the peace and prosperity of the entire region. The robust and multifaceted relationship between the two democracies has expanded into several strategic areas, including defence and security. The partnership’s vision was enhanced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Malaysia in 2015.
An intriguing development is Malaysia’s interest in procuring India’s indigenously developed Tejas aircraft. The Tejas, a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft, is designed for high-threat air environments, showcasing India’s prowess in defence technology.
