00:00Excellency Prime Minister Tanana Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Excellencies,
00:08ladies and gentlemen.
00:12We have said yesterday and also in our bilateral sessions this morning that we consider this
00:26meeting and these exchanges very vital, very strategic and critical to advance and enhance
00:37relations between India and Malaysia.
00:44Of course we had long-standing relations since 1957 but we have elevated it to comprehensive
00:54strategic partnership in 2024.
00:59The deep historical ties, strong people-to-people linkages and ever-expanding economic cooperation.
01:07We continue to deepen collaboration in all fields, trade and investment, semiconductor, digital
01:15economy, trade and local currency, connectivity, energy, agriculture, food security, defence,
01:25education security, TVET, including through our centre at the University of Malaya, healthcare,
01:35tourism, culture and people-to-people.
01:37It is really comprehensive and we believe that we can advance this and execute in a speedy
01:47manner with the commitment of our both governments, both foreign ministers.
01:54And we have seen also the exchanges of 11 documents including MOUs in an exchange of letters which extended
02:06beyond normal bilateral arrangements because we have covered even peacekeeping cooperation on
02:14Semiconductor health care and security cooperation.
02:23Trade, of course, it has to further extend.
02:27I mean, India is growing by leaps and bounds.
02:30It is one spectacular rise in international economic trade scene and therefore Malaysia in the ASEAN context
02:44that certainly benefit immensely if we could secure more ways and opportunities to collaborate with India
02:55to extending beyond the $18.59 billion that we achieved in 2025.
03:07And one remarkable feat is this decision to use local currency as far as possible.
03:16And Bank Negara Malaysia and CBI has worked on this area for ringgit Malaysia and rupee in bilateral trade and investment.
03:32Similarly, in the digital connectivity, energy and semiconductor.
03:39Well, education remains pivotal.
03:42Many Malaysians were educated in India and there is a growing number of Indian students in Malaysia too.
03:51But since the last decade or so under the premiership of my good friend, Prime Minister Uriji, you have seen the spectacular recognition of Indian centres of excellence, education.
04:12There is not only comparable but many of them have achieved outstanding recognition beyond the known institutions in the West.
04:24And therefore, we would certainly explore this to increase the number of students in selected disciplines and fields to study in India.
04:41Tourism and connectivity is, of course, an area that we will have to give more emphasis.
04:48We have seen this spectacular increase during the past year.
04:55And we hope to benefit from Malaysia through Asia and incredible India through visa liberalisation and increase air connectivity.
05:12And to see the spectacular, I've been to India, I don't know, umpteen times and covered hundreds of places and I still think that I have not covered India.
05:28It's too huge.
05:29It's too huge, Prime Minister.
05:32And it's an amazing country to visit to learn the history, the culture, the arts other than the new advancement in technology, new technology and IT.
05:51In terms of regional and international issues, I must express my appreciation because in my discussions with Prime Minister Modi,
06:02it is not just normal pious platitudes and diplomatic exchanges.
06:12It is an exchange between true friends, full of trust and understanding.
06:20And therefore, I must also take this opportunity to express my regards and thanks to him before his firm commitment to support all peace efforts throughout the world.
06:33Be it in Ukraine, Russia, or in the case of the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, his commitment to support the peace process is unequivocal.
06:46And I certainly, I must therefore express my appreciation.
06:52And as a sign of our good relations, I immediately have agreed to support the decision of the government of India to open a consulate of India in Kottakandabalu, Sabah.
07:11Thank you again, Prime Minister.
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