By Shakir Husain
NEW DELHI, India: Malaysia-India relations remain vibrant and both countries are keen to grow their “forward-looking partnership” through multi-sector cooperation, Malaysian High Commissioner to India, Datuk Muzafar Shah Mustafa, said.
The relationship is underpinned by an annual bilateral trade of USD18.2 billion (RM 77.046 billion) covering sectors such as manufacturing, petrochemicals, healthcare, green energy, biotechnology and IT services, he said at the Malaysian National Day reception in New Delhi on Monday evening.
“Building on our regional leadership and national priorities, Malaysia’s partnership with India stands out as historic and forward-looking,” Muzafar said.
“The vibrancy of our ties is further underscored by ongoing high-level visits to Malaysia,” he said, adding that Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is expected to attend the regional summit in Kuala Lumpur in October.
Malaysia, which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is “strengthening ASEAN unity, bridging divides in the Indo-Pacific, and deepening strategic partnerships with the United States, China, India, and Australia”, Muzafar said.
India’s Law Minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, was the chief guest on the occasion.
Meghwal, in his remarks, highlighted close cooperation between India and Malaysia in various fields, including investment, infrastructure, culture and travel.
He noted that the relationship was elevated to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s state visit to New Delhi in August last year.
About 350 guests, including ambassadors, diplomats, local business figures, and prominent community members, attended the event marking the 68th National Day.
The Malaysian High Commission this year partnered with the Sabah Tourism Board for a colourful cultural performance featuring traditional dances by a group of artistes from Sabah. – BERNAMA
