India and Malaysia will deepen cooperation in security and defence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday as he emphasised that the recent attacks globally and the 'ceaseless' terror attempts against India and Afghanistan were a reminder of the global nature of terrorism.
Modi Malaysian counterpart, Najib Razak praised him for his efforts to develop India, calling him a 'man of action'.
Modi complimented his Razak for providing leadership in combating extremism and radicalisation, rejecting any link between terrorism and religion and in highlighting the 'real values of Islam'.
"I am particularly grateful to you for our security cooperation. It underlines our shared commitment to deal with our security challenges. We will continue to deepen our cooperation in this area," he said in a joint press briefing after his talks with Najib at Putrajaya, the sprawling administrative capital on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
Modi, who is in Malaysia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the East Asia Summits, warned that terrorism is the 'biggest threat' to the world.
He had said on Sunday that terrorism should be delinked from religion.
Talking about security and defence cooperation with Malaysia, Modi said both countries will make it stronger, including for advancing maritime security and strengthening disaster response in the region.
"I am pleased that we have agreed to upgrade our joint exercises and set up the SU-30 Forum," he said, adding that both sides will do more in terms of level and complexity of exercises and collaboration in training and defence equipment.
"Our agreement to cooperate in cyber security is very important. As our lives get more networked, this is emerging as one of the most serious concerns of our age," Modi said.
The Prime Minister said he shares Najib's belief that bilateral trade and investment relations can be scaled up significantly.
"We intend to exploit the full potential of our bilateral agreements and the India-ASEAN Agreements. We look forward to an early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement," he said.
India and Malaysia also signed MoUs on cyber security, culture and public administration.
Speaking at the joint press briefing, Prime Minister Najib said a new convention Centre will be built in New Delhi under government to government contract.
Modi said, "We have built a vibrant economic partnership. We are located on the same maritime route."
Noting that Malaysian competence in infrastructure is well known and that Malaysia has completed several important projects -- including in the road sector -- in India, Modi said he wanted to see enhanced Malaysian participation in areas such as expansion and upgrading of infrastructure, Make in India, and Smart Cities projects.
"Indian companies have a strong presence in Malaysia. Ircon International Limited is contributing to development of rail infrastructure here. We want to raise the level of Indian presence in the Malaysian economy," he said.
Modi said he and his Malaysian counterpart are determined to explore steps to show concrete and early results.
"I am happy that we are strengthening our excellent cooperation in public administration and governance. I have personally interacted with Performance Management and Delivery Unit in Malaysia, and am pleased that our Niti Ayog will work with them," he said.
The prime minister said both countries will place special emphasis on cultural and people-to-people ties.
Modi invited Malaysian students to study in India and urged early conclusion of an agreement on Mutual Recognition of Degrees.
"I am very pleased with our excellent and growing cooperation in traditional medicine, including Ayurveda and Siddha," he said.
Noting that the two back-to-back airline tragedies could sap the morale of any nation, Modi said he commends Prime Minister Najib's leadership and the resolve and resilience of the Malaysian people.
Modi said both countries are closely aligned in their vision and approach to the region and work closely in regional forums.
"So, with a relationship as rich as this, I am pleased that we have agreed to make our Summits, ministerial dialogues and official meetings more regular. I assure you that we will work with renewed vigour to raise the level to momentum of our partnership," he said.
Najib, in his statement, said the two sides wanted to cooperate in the defence field and were considering joint production in this sector.
Both countries shared a common position on counter terrorism efforts, he noted.
Branding the talks with Prime Minister Modi as 'productive and constructive', Razak said that India and Malaysia shared close relations based on common heritage, strong people to people ties and cultural affinity.
"Prime Minister Modi has big plans to develop India especially in the construction of infrastructure, railway development, highway development, smart cities, digital India, solar energy, renewable energy and so forth," Razak said during his joint address with Prime Minister Modi here.
"PM Modi has indicated his desire for a G-to-G arrangement between India and Malaysia for the construction of a convention centre in Delhi. Modi is a man of action, he wants things to be implemented expeditiously, he has proven track record as chief minister and now as Prime Minister," he added.
He said that the issue of 'recognition' of Indian degrees also came up during the bilateral discussions.
"I am excited about new possibilities that we can do together with India. Our relations are broad based, it includes field of education as many Malaysians have been educated in India. Prime Minister Modi is very keen that we should look at the recognition of Indian degrees in IT and engineering," he said.
"We also discussed defence cooperation as India has a very dynamic and strong defence industry.Prime Minister Modi is also keen to expand traditional medicine, in the field of Ayurveda," he added.
Image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received by his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak in Putrajaya, Malaysia on Monday. Photograph: Press Information Bureau.
