Visit of External Affairs Minister to Malaysia, 2-4 May 2011

H.E. Mr. S.M. Krishna, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs of India paid an official visit to Malaysia from 2 – 4 May 2011.  Coming within six months of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s visit to Malaysia from 26-28 October 2010, the visit was a reflection of the high priority India attaches to its relations with Malaysia, and aimed to take the bilateral relationship towards the Strategic Partnership envisaged by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak in the Joint Statement issued on 27 October 2010.

External Affairs Minister Mr. S.M. Krishna and Y.B. Dato’ Sri Anifah Hj. Aman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia presided over the 5th India-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in Kuala Lumpur on 3rd May 2011. The meeting comprehensively reviewed the bilateral relationship, taking stock of progress as well as giving guidance in the fields of trade and investment, infrastructure development, defence and security, social and cultural linkages, science and technology, health, as well as labour, immigration and consular matters. 

In the JCM, both sides emphasized their keenness to progress the bilateral relationship and make it into a pillar of their respective foreign policies. They agreed that the early implementation of all the understandings and agreements enshrined in the Joint Statement on the Framework for a Strategic Partnership should be their foremost priority.  They had an in-depth exchange of views on how to can make early progress on issues such as a revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, a MoU on Customs Cooperation, as well as operationalization of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism. While welcoming the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) on 18th February 2011 to further enhance trade and investment flows between the two countries, the Indian side requested the Malaysian side to consider greater imports from India as a way of having balanced and sustainable trade in the long term. The growing people-to-people exchanges were also noted with satisfaction and both leaders expressed the desire to encourage these trends in the coming year.

The two Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on regional and multilateral matters. In particular, the importance of strengthening India-ASEAN ties was discussed. Malaysia is one of India’s key interlocutors in ASEAN and the Indian side expressed the hope that Malaysia, as ASEAN coordinator, would facilitate early completion of the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in Services and Investments. The Indian side also looked forward to the participation of Prime Minister Najib in the 10th India-ASEAN Summit that India will host in 2012. 

During the visit, the Hon’ble Minister paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak. He conveyed to him warm greetings from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as well as India’s great desire to support the further enhancement of its relations with Malaysia.

Mr. Krishna had bilateral meetings with Y.B. Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Minister of Home Affairs and Y.B. Dato’ Sri Anifah Hj. Aman, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as attended an official dinner hosted by the latter in his honour. The visiting dignitary also met with eminent persons of the Indian and Malaysian Indian community, as well as with the leadership of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).

The visit of the External Affairs Minister will further enhance the friendship and partnership between India and Malaysia.

The External Affairs Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna Calls on Prime Minister of Malaysia,
H.E. Dato' Sri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, at Putrajaya on 3rd May 2011


The External Affairs Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna meeting with Prime Minister of Malaysia,
H.E. Dato' Sri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, at Putrajaya on 3rd May 2011


The External Affairs Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia,
Dato Sri Anifah Aman at Kuala Lumpur on 3rd May 2011


The External Affairs Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna meeting with the Minister of Home Affairs of Malaysia,
Dato Seri Hishammuddin Bin Tun Hussein at Putrajaya on 3rd May 2011


Hon'ble EAM and Foreign Minister of Malaysia signing the Agreed Minutes at the
conclusion of 5th JCM on 3.5.2011


EAM and delegation at the Official banquet hosted by Foreign Minister of Malaysia,
H.E. Dato' Sri Anifah Aman


Datuk Seri S. Samy Velu, Special Envoy for Infrastructure to India and South Asia calling on the External Affairs Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna on 4th May 2011. Looking on are the High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, Mr. Vijay Gokhale and Joint Secretary (South), Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. Arun K. Goel