KUALA LAMPUR, Oct 27 � Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and his Malaysian counterpart Dato Seri Najib today concluded talks to sign a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)by January next year even as they affirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation .
In a joint statement released after talks between the two leaders, both Dr Singh and Dato Seri Najib acknowledged the long history of cultural and civilization contacts between the two countries and their shared commitment to democracy and development. They said that both countries have a role in promoting economic development and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Both India and Malaysia today signed agreements for cooperation in the fields of traditional medicine, information technology and services, tourism, culture and scientific cooperation in presence of Dr Singh and Dato Seri Najib.
Addressing the media on the occasion , the Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib said that both countries had comprehensive discussions on a wide gamut of issues like defence collaboration on maritime security, terrorism, higher education, visa issues, workers coming from India among others.Malaysia is ready for a more deeper and intense relationship with India, Dato Najib said.
Reciprocating the sentiments of the Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh said that India wanted to work closely and take the relationship to a new height.He said that apart from the economic issues , both countries have agreed to work together for reforms in the United Nations, global financial strategies, regional issues and other strategic relationships.
Both sides today agreed to study the possibility of enhancing the scope and level of joint collaboration in the hydrocarbons sector between State-run Petronas of Malaysia and ONGC Videsh Limited of India in third countries.They also agreed to sign an MoU on cooperation relating to technical assistance on highway management and development. This will help Malaysian companies to play a role in the development of national highways in India.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh who delivered the prestigious Khazanah Global Lecture at Putrajaya , the administrative headquarters of the Malaysian Government near here, said that fast economic growth must be inclusive, empower poor sections and help in the development of the agriculture, health and education sectors.Saying that the economy of the future will be a knowledge economy, Dr Singh laid emphasis on skill upgradation of the young generation and called for protection of the environment.
Replying to a question, Dr Singh said that both India and China were fast growing economies. China is our largest trading partner. There are enormous possibilities for the two countries to work together. The world is large enough to accommodate both of us, he added.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today inaugurated �Little India�, the oldest settlement of Indian settlers in Kuala Lampur here. He thanked the Malaysian government for naming it as �Little India� and thereby acknowledging the contribution of the two-million strong Indian community to the Malaysian nation.
