India's Act East Policy gets a boost with Defence Minister Singh's Malyasia visit

India’s ‘Act East Policy’ received a further boost with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holding extensive discussions on strengthening bilateral ties with his Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Seri Mohamad Hasan in Kuala Lumpur on Monday (July 10, 2023).

Singh also called on Malaysian Prime Ministe YB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, besides meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Diraja Zambry Abd Kadir, India's Ministry of Defence said.

This is the Defence Minister's 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.

Talks between the two Defence Ministers covered initiatives to further expand bilateral defence ties, with particular focus on identifying ways to strengthen industrial cooperation. "They reaffirmed 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" the Ministry of Defence said.

With the next Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) meeting being planned in India later this year, Defence Minister 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.

During their meeting, both Ministers also approved an amendment in the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation between India and Malaysia signed in 1993, through ‘Exchange of Letters’ (EoL). "This amendment will act as an enabler to expand bilateral defence cooperation in the areas of mutual interest," the Ministry of Defence said.

When the Indian Defence Minister called on him, the Malaysian Prime Minister expressed appreciation of the strong cultural bonds between both nations. Defence Minister Singh briefed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim about the fruitful and productive defence dialogue held earlier in the day. The meeting focused on measures to realise the full potential of Enhanced Strategic Partnership.

The meeting with the Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs saw an exchange of views on matters of bilateral importance and cooperation in international fora. According to the Ministry of Defence, India’s recognition of ASEAN centrality and importance of peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo Pacific region were discussed. The meeting concluded with India’s assurance to partner Malaysia in its efforts to accelerate self-reliance of the Malaysian Defence Industry.