By IANS,
New Delhi: Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammad Najib Tun Abdul Razak arrived in New Delhi Tuesday evening on a five-day state visit which is set to rejuvenate bilateral relations with at least 13 agreements to be signed.
Razak landed at the Palam Air Force station by a special aircraft nearly two hours after the scheduled time. He was accompanied by a large delegation comprising senior ministers, MPs, senior officials and prominent businessmen of Malaysia.
“The visit of the Malaysian PM to India will contribute to further strengthening and expanding the close bilateral relations between the two countries,” said a press release issued by the external affairs ministry.
He will hold discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday, following which they will witness the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding. Razak will also be addressing a joint interaction with the apex industrial chambers, which will be attended by several top businessmen.
On Monday, Razak told reporters in Kuala Lumpur that his visit will be “substantive and not just ceremonial”.
“The latest count is 13 and we are still counting,” Razak said when asked about agreements to be signed during his visit.
Most of the MoUs would be from the private sector that is engaged in a variety of projects in India.
The Malaysian leader will also be meeting the Indian leadership, from President Pratibha Patil to Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj. Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi is also scheduled to call on him.
He will also be visiting Tamil Nadu. There is a large Indian diaspora of Tamil origin in Malaysia.