Blitz Bureau
PRIME Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart, Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, held talks in New Delhi on August 20 with a focus on expanding cooperation in several sectors.
PM Modi has said that India and Malaysia have decided to elevate their enhanced strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The Enhanced Strategic Partnership between the two countries is going to complete its 10 years, and in the last two years, there has been a new momentum and energy in their partnership, he said.
PM Modi said that during the delegation-level talks, both sides extensively discussed all areas of mutual cooperation and added that there is still significant potential for economic cooperation between India and Malaysia. He said both sides have also discussed new possibilities of mutual cooperation in the defence sector. India and Malaysia are also unanimous in the fight against terrorism and extremism, he added.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the need to enhance cooperation in new technology areas such as fintech, semiconductors, the defence industry, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology.
He added that both sides will work on linking India’s UPI with Malaysia’s PayNet. Trade between India and Malaysia can now be settled in Indian Rupee and Malaysian Ringgits MYR. PM Modi said Malaysia is an important partner of India in ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region.