Mohd Najib Tun Razak, the Prime Minister of Malaysia was on an official visit to India from 30th March 2017 to 3rd April 2017.
Following key developments pertaining to India-Malaysia bilateral relations can be considered as highlights of Mr. Najib’s India visit:
India, Malaysia agree on shared vision to enhance strategic partnership
After having considered a gamut of bilateral cultural, economic and strategic engagement avenues, Mr. Najib and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed on a shared vision to strengthen their strategic partnership by giving priority to action-oriented approach in which penetrating the existing areas of cooperation and charting new territory for bilateral engagement are among the key objectives.
- It is to be noted that India and Malaysia have diplomatic relations since 60 years.
India, Malaysia ink seven MoUs
MoUs that were signed in presence of Malaysian Prime Minister Mohd Najib Tun Razak and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi:
- A revised Air Service Agreement, which was in effect since 1974.
- MoU on Cooperation in Fertiliser which pertains to development of Urea and Ammonia plants in Malaysia. Besides, India has agreed to off take existing surplus urea from Malaysia.
- MoU on mutual recognition of educational qualifications, signed between Association
of Indian Universities (AIU), India and Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Malaysia. - MoU on cooperation in sports, which involves exchange of sportspersons, instructors, and information related to sports training methodology.
- MoU between the Malaysian Human Resource Fund/ Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (PSMB) and Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad: As per this MoU, EDII will carry out training and other capacity building programmes on behalf of the Human Resource Development, Malaysia.
- MoU on technology development in the field of Palm Oil signed between Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), India and Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)
- MoU on implementation of 4th Generation Technology Park in Andhra Pradesh, signed between Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board and MIGHT Technology Nurturing Sdn. Bhd (MTN)
of Indian Universities (AIU), India and Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Malaysia.Malaysia agrees to set up Technology Park in Andhra Pradesh
Out of the 7 MoUs signed between India and Malaysia, the most significant was the one between Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board and MIGHT Technology Nurturing Sdn. Bhd (MTN) for implementation of 4th Generation Technology Park in Andhra Pradesh.
- MTN – wholly owned subsidiary of the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) will be involved in feasibility study and planning and development of the park. It will also bring in initial technology.
- This technology park will be built on 250 acres of land. The phase – I, which is expected to draw $100 million investment, will cover 100 acres.
- It will produce packaging material made from recycled agricultural materials that will be used in electronics and food industry.
Indian, Malaysian firms exchange MoUs worth $36 bn
Mr. Najib was accompanied by a huge delegation comprising of Malaysian business tycoons. During the course of his visit, Indian and Malaysian firms signed about 31 investment agreements worth a whopping $36 billion covering areas of construction, education and pharmacy. These agreements were signed in presence of Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Malysian Prime Minister Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak in New Delhi.
India-Malaysia CEO’s Forum expressed keenness to take bilateral trade to $15 billion
- Meanwhile, India-Malaysia CEO’s Forum meeting which coincided with Mr. Najib’s visit issued a joint statement calling for a balanced Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and its manifestation on immediate basis.
- The forum identified healthcare, infrastructure, education and SMEs as key areas for cooperation that will help in pushing bilateral trade to the tune of $15 billion.
Quick Facts about Malaysia:
- Capital: Kuala Lumpur
- Currency: Malaysian Ringgit
