India, Malaysia to focus on to bilateral relations for steady development

New Delhi, Jan 22(ANI): India and Malaysia have said both countries are focused on adding greater substance to their bilateral relations, taking into account the steady development and emerging opportunities from the ongoing economic crisis.

These views were expressed in a joint statement issued after the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razak's visit to New Delhi.

Razak, who is on a five-day visit to India, met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday. Both leaders held-in-depth discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest to their countries.

"The two leaders observed that a long term and strategic partnership between Malaysia and India could be developed based on historical, cultural and social links, pluralism, open society, shared commitment to democracy and development, and a high degree of commonality of political and economic interests," the joint statement said.

"Both India and Malaysia enhanced engagement for mutual benefit, aided by the strengthening of economic linkages, initiatives for greater regional integration as well as trade liberalization," the statement added.

Both leaders also recognized the need for concerted efforts among Asian countries to translate positive developments into an era of growth, prosperity, stability and closer integration in Asia.

Both Dr. Singh and Razak welcomed the implementation of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement, which came into effect on January 1, 2010 emphasizing that it would further enhance trade and economic ties between Malaysia and India, specifically through conclusion of the Malaysia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.

They further reaffirmed their support for the East Asia Summit as an open, inclusive, transparent and forward looking forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern in promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia. (ANI)