By P. Vijian, Bernama,
New Delhi : Malaysia-India relations have been boosted by the visit here of high-ranking Malaysian Foreign Ministry to fortify ties amidst regional tensions.
The strong proponents of the Asean Regional Forum (ARF), bringing 23 countries together to discuss Asia-Pacific security, and India, a dialogue partner of Asean, the Association of South East Asian Nations, are fine-tuning their agenda here ahead of the biennial Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in Kuala Lumpur next year.
“There is no contentious issue. (Bilateral) relations are excellent if we look at the trend of trade, investments and tourism, they are moving up. Trade increased by 15 per cent between 2006 and 2007 and we think it will soar further,” said Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Rastam Mohamed Isa.
He told Bernama after a two-day dialogue here with his Indian counterpart that they discussed regional and international issues. “We talked about the tragedy in Myanmar and exchanged views on the form of assistance we should provide.”
The region is faced with natural disasters, food security threats and rising oil prices, while China, another Asean dialogue partner, and Myanmar, an Asean member, are reeling from a deadly earthquake and Cyclone Nargis respectively, killing tens of thousands of people.
New Delhi-Kuala Lumpur ties are relatively on a high note, with both countries skirting sensitive issues and focusing more on bolstering bilateral relations, a boon to the business fraternity from both sides.
Two-way trade crossed 25 billion Ringgit (one USD = about 3.16 Ringgit) last year and Malaysia’s cumulative investments in India have exceeded RM920 million.
Likewise, Indian companies, mainly information technology (IT) firms, are investing heavily in Malaysia, and almost 60 Indian joint ventures are operating in Malaysia, notably in palm oil refining, power generation and civil construction. In 2007, Indian investments in Malaysia surpassed RM3 billion.
As Malaysian officials fine-tuned the JCM agenda in New Delhi, India’s Railway Minister Lalu Prasad was in Kuala Lumpur to witness the signing of a RM4 billion electrified double-track project which has been awarded to Indian Railway Construction Company.
“Over the last few years, high-level exchanges between the prime ministers and ministers of the two countries have paved the way for better co-ordination of activities,” added Rastam.
Before departing from the Indian capital, Rastam and Malaysian High Commissioner (Ambassador) to India Tan Seng Sung called on India’s Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahmed.