International Relations
India-Malaysia Defence Cooperation
- 28 Jun 2022
- 4 min read
For Prelims: India-Malaysia Defense Cooperation, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Free Trade Agreement.
For Mains: India- Malaysia Relations and Recent developments.
Why in News?
Recently, Indian Defence Minister interacted with his Malaysian counterpart to deepen Defence Cooperation between the two countries.
- The Malaysian air force has been looking for 18 new light fighter jets with several nations, including South Korea, Pakistan, China and Sweden, making a pitch. The Indian offer is for the LCA Mk1A version.
- India has offered a dual package for the indigenous fighter jets as well as maintenance of the Russian origin Su30 MKM aircraft being operated by Malaysia.
What are the Highlights of the Meeting?
- Both countries highlighted the areas in which Indian defence industries could assist Malaysia. India invited senior officers from Malaysia to India to get a first-hand experience of the facilities and products of Indian defence industry.
- Malaysia expressed the need for inducting women personnel in peace keeping missions. Both sides agreed to engage each other on this issue.
- Both countries agreed to upgrade capability for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
- Both sides discussed the existing defence cooperation activities and framework between the two countries, and ways to further enhance them under the existing Malaysia India Defence Cooperation Meeting (MIDCOM) framework.
- The next MIDCOM is scheduled to held in July 2022, and it was decided to use this platform for a deeper engagement in defence.
What are the Key Points of India-Malaysia Relations?
- India established diplomatic relations with Malaysia in 1957.
- Economic Relation: India and Malaysia have signed Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). CECA is a kind of Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
- India has also signed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in services and investments with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
- Malaysia is the third largest trading partner in ASEAN.
- Bilateral trade between India and Malaysia is significantly biased in favour of Malaysia.
- Defence & Security Cooperation: Joint military exercises “Harimau Shakti” are held annually between the two countries.
- Traditional medicine: India and Malaysia have signed a MoU on cooperation in the field of Traditional Medicine in October 2010.
- The Government of Malaysia has been working to popularize AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) systems in Malaysia.
- AYUSH systems are practiced in Malaysia.
- Recent Developments:
- In 2020, India resumed purchases of Malaysian palm oil after a gap of four-month following a diplomatic row between the two countries.
- The former Prime Minister of Malaysia had criticised India's Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which was considered as an interference in the internal matter of India.
- In 2020, India resumed purchases of Malaysian palm oil after a gap of four-month following a diplomatic row between the two countries.
What is the Significance of Malaysia for India?
- As a country where 7.2% of the population is of Indian origin, Malaysia assumes an important place in India’s foreign policy.
- Surrounded by busy sea lines of communications such as the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea, Malaysia is also a key pillar of India’s Act East policy and critical to India’s maritime connectivity strategies.
