Putting behind past acrimony, India and Malaysia today decided to elevate their bilateral relationship by widening relations to include a new labour facilitation agreement, have greater cooperation in defence, trade, investment, semi-conductors and ease visa regulations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim met in New Delhi today.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Centre and the Malaysian government on the ‘recruitment, employment and repatriation of workers’.

Later, Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary East in the Ministry of External Affairs, said the MoU paves the way for welfare of Indian workers and will open up more employment for Indian workers in Malaysia.

High Commissioner of India to Malaysia BN Reddy said the agreement is about recruitment and employment. A draft contract is attached to the MoU. “Any Indian worker going to Malaysia now gets a well spelt out assurance by both the governments,” Reddy said. There are 1.40 lakh Indian workers in Malaysia and they will now be allowed in all sectors, unlike past, said Reddy.

This was the first PM-level meet after previous Malaysia’s PM Mahathir Mohamad objected to India’s abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. Mahathir claimed India had “invaded and occupied” Kashmir. India responded by banning palm oil imports from Malaysia, leading to a trade war.

Making a statement after the meet, Modi said we have decided to elevate the relationship to a ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’. Malaysia is keen to become a member of BRICS grouping. The two sides have decided to set up a digital council and linking of two digital payment formats — UPI and Paynet — in India and Malaysia, respectively. “We are together in countering terrorism,” Modi said. Later, Jaideep Mazumdar said the two leaders discussed ranging issues, including religious harmony and tolerance.

Courtesy: The Tribune India: 21st Aug , 2024