Kuala lumpur: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed New Delhi's steadfast commitment to the stability of the Indo-Pacific region, with ASEAN centrality at its core.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Modi highlighted the emerging significance of the Indo-Pacific as a global growth engine. He emphasized India's commitment, in collaboration with ASEAN, to fostering development, peace, and stability in the region. During a joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Modi underscored India's prioritization of ASEAN centrality.
Modi expressed India's intent to strengthen relations and cooperation with ASEAN nations, specifically mentioning Malaysia. He called for the expedited completion of the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). Additionally, Modi stressed the importance of enhancing ties with Malaysia and their mutual stance on the need for reforms in global institutions amid the current global landscape.
The Indian Prime Minister reiterated India's unwavering support for peace efforts globally, while emphasizing a clear stance against terrorism with no tolerance for double standards or compromise.
Modi reflected on the profound connections between India and Malaysia, rooted in cultural heritage and democratic values. He noted the longstanding ties as maritime neighbors and the significant population of Indian origin in Malaysia, which he described as the second-largest in the world.
Earlier, Modi and Anwar conducted a bilateral meeting, witnessing the exchange of 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and other documents spanning various sectors of cooperation, including an MoU on audio-visual co-production. Modi expressed optimism that this agreement would bring the two nations closer through films and music, with a focus on Tamil films.
Modi's official visit to Malaysia, from February 7 to 8, was at Anwar's invitation and served to reciprocate Anwar's official visit to India in August 2024. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1957, Malaysia and India have cultivated a partnership grounded in mutual respect and shared values, elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in August 2024.