Recently, the Indian Defence Minister engaged in dialogue with his Malaysian counterpart to fortify Defence Cooperation between the two nations. This move gained attention as the Malaysian air force is currently seeking 18 new light fighter jets from various nations – South Korea, Pakistan, China, and Sweden included. In response, India has proposed a dual package for the indigenous fighter jets and maintenance of the Russian origin Su30 MKM aircraft being operated by Malaysia.
Highlights of the Meeting Between India and Malaysia
The key elements discussed during the meeting between both nations included areas where Indian defence industries could assist Malaysia. An invitation was extended to senior officers from Malaysia to familiarise themselves with Indian defence industry facilities and products first-hand. A significant issue highlighted by Malaysia was the need for inducting women personnel in peacekeeping missions, which was agreed upon for further discussion. Both nations also consented to upgrade their capabilities for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
In the bigger picture, the existing defence cooperation activities and the framework shared by both countries were evaluated, along with suggestions for enhancement under the Malaysia India Defence Cooperation Meeting (MIDCOM) framework. The subsequent MIDCOM is slated for July 2022, where the proposal is to utilise this platform for more intensive engagement in defence.
The Key Elements of India-Malaysia Relations
From establishing diplomatic relations with Malaysia in 1957, India has ensured continuous development in multiple domains. Economically, both nations have inked the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which functions as a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Besides this, India also has an FTA regarding services and investments signed with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Malaysia ranks as the third-largest trading partner within ASEAN, although the bilateral trade leans significantly in favour of Malaysia.
In matters of Defence and Security Cooperation, India and Malaysia collectively organise an annual joint military exercise named the “Harimau Shakti”. Traditional medicine has also been a significant point of cooperation, with both countries signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in October 2010 to promote the field. The Malaysian government has also taken steps to advocate AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) systems domestically.
Recent Developments in India-Malaysia Relations
The relationship between India and Malaysia hasn’t been devoid of controversies. In 2020, India resumed palm oil purchases from Malaysia after a four-month hiatus resulting from a diplomatic clash. The then Prime Minister of Malaysia had criticized India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which was perceived as meddling in India’s internal affairs.
The Importance of Malaysia to India
With 7.2% of the Malaysian population of Indian origin, Malaysia occupies a critical position in India’s foreign policy. Geographically, as it’s surrounded by crucial sea lines of communication such as the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea, Malaysia is an essential part of India’s Act East policy and is crucial to India’s maritime connectivity strategies.
