KUALA LUMPUR,13 FEB – Malaysia will become an important partner in India’s journey as it progresses towards a developed nation.
Assuring this, Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia B. Nagabhushana Reddy said that his country would prioritise cooperation with Malaysia in the digital economy sector, placing it at the core of bilateral engagement in moving forward.
“We expect to achieve this by establishing the Malaysia-India Digital Council and operationalising the Malaysia-India Startup Bridge.
“I am confident in the evolving relations between the ‘New India’ and ‘Malaysia Madani’ as our ties gain increased relevance and significance,” said Reddy at a reception on the ‘75th anniversary of India’s Republic Day’ at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Guest-of-honour was Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
Reddy echoed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of ‘New India’s’ determination to become a developed country by 2047 when India would celebrate the 100th year of independence from Britain.
Reddy underscored that the India-Malaysia relationship was rooted not only in shared interests but also in deep values, democracy, rule of law and a preference for a rule-based international order.
“I see our bilateral ties as a natural and innovative partnership, foreseeing 2024 as a promising year for a deepening relationship, especially under the stable government led by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“We have had frequent high-level engagements between our two countries with 12 ministerial and deputy ministerial visits since December 2022, including a joint commission meeting in New Delhi in November last year.
“I laud the significant role played by the 2.7 million people of Indian origin in Malaysia, considering them a living bridge for mutual engagement,” Reddy said.
He acknowledged the substantial contribution of the Bharat Club, representing15,000 Indian expatriates and an additional 115,000 Indian foreign workers, to the Malaysian economy, with the social organisation celebrating its 50th year of establishment here.
Reddy shared positive statistics about India’s progress, noting that 250 million people in India had come out from multidimensional poverty in the last nine years, thanks to its ‘Viksit Bharat’ transformation initiative to mature by 2047.
“The deep roots of the digital economy in India, with unprecedented digital transformation in play, has produced 111 unicorns and boasts the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with 120,000 startups developed in seven years.
“The current India-Malaysia bilateral trade stands at US$20 billion, with plans to expand to US$25 billion by 2025.
“Additionally, with approximately 200 flights per week to 11 destinations in India and visa-free travel for Indian nationals, India is emerging as the fastest-growing source country for tourists in Malaysia.
“Tourist numbers from India touched almost half a million during the first nine months of 2023, marking an 88 per cent increase compared to 2022.
“These are all a testament to India’s achievements, cultural vibrancy and the strong bond shared with the Indian community in Malaysia,” Reddy said.
On another note, Reddy highlighted the significance of last year as the inaugural year of ‘Amrit kaal’, where India achieved remarkable milestones including becoming the fifth largest global economy, Chandrayaan-3’s lunar exploration, hosting the G20 Summit and the inauguration of India’s new Parliament.
Amrit kaal is a Vedic astrology that refers to a crucial period when the gates to greater pleasure for humans, angels and other creatures open.
The Republic Day reception showcased the talents of students from Indian schools in Kuala Lumpur, including performances by Global Indian International School Kuala Lumpur, Sprout Academy and Vikas International School.
Indian associations gave various performances like the Maharastra Mandal Malaysia presenting Marathi songs, and the Bharat Club Malaysia concluding the cultural event by singing patriotic songs.
There were also prizes offered for winners of the Hindi poetry and handwriting competitions held earlier in partnership with Indian schools in Malaysia commemorating ‘Vishwa Hindi Diwas’ to reflect the day when Hindi was first spoken in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1949.
Also displayed was the photo exhibition – ‘New India: Driving India into Amrit kaal’ – that highlighted the advancements and achievements of India in 2023.
The exhibition captured milestones, events and success stories that defined the first year of India’s ‘Amrit kaal’. – AIRTIMES.MY
