Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a three-day official visit to Malaysia from 9-11 July 2023, with a focus on further combining bilateral defence cooperation and Enhanced Strategic Partnership between India and Malaysia.
i. During his visit, he held bilateral talks with the Defence Minister of Malaysia Mr Dato’ Seri Mohamad Hasan, where both the ministers reviewed defence cooperation between the 2 nations.
Note: This was the first bilateral visit after the establishment of Enhanced Strategic Partnership, which was announced during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Malaysia in 2015.
India and Malaysia discussed roadmap for 4th decade of defence cooperation
On 10th July 2023, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on his 3 day visit to Malaysia, discussed the roadmap for the 4th Decade of India-Malaysia Defence Cooperation with Malaysian counterpart Mohamad Hasan in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
Highlights:
i. Initiatives were discussed by both the nations to further expand bilateral defence ties, particularly focused on identifying ways to strengthen industrial cooperation.
ii. They acknowledged their commitment to fully implement the Enhanced Strategic Partnership based on mutual trust and understanding, common interests and shared values of democracy and rule of law.
iii. The Defence Ministers of the 2 nations agreed to the next Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) meeting which is being planned in India in later 2023.
iv. Rajnath Singh highlighted the potential of the Indian defence industry with capacity and capability to cooperate with Malaysian Armed Forces in its inventory modernisation and maintenance plans.
v. Amendment in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation between India and Malaysia signed in 1993 were approved by both the Ministers, through ‘Exchange of Letters’ (EoL).
- This amendment will act as an enabler to expand bilateral defence cooperation in the areas of mutual interest.
- The nations agreed to establish the Sukhoi Su-30MKM Forum and the Strategic Affairs Working Group to elevate the cooperation between the two ministries.
Rajnath Singh inaugurated HAL regional office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Rajnath Singh inaugurated Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) regional office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The regional office will facilitate the defence industrial collaboration between India and Malaysia and will also serve as a hub for the HAL’s engagement with the wider South-East Asian region and act as a window for other Indian Defense Public Sector Units (PSUs).
Rajnath Singh unveiled the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Malaysia
Rajnath Singh unveiled the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, in the presence of distinguished INA (Indian National Army) veterans in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Rajnath Singh also felicitated Second Lieutenant Sundaram, a 99-year old INA veteran, who fought alongside Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Burma border.
About Malaysia:
Capital– Kuala Lumpur
Prime Minister– Anwar Bin Ibrahim
Currency– Malaysian Ringgit
