PM's banquet speech at dinner hosted by Prime Minister of

Malaysia

October 27, 2010

His Excellency Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib,
Prime Minister of Malaysia and
Datin Paduka Sri Rosmah Mansor
Distinguished Invitees from both the countries

My wife and I are delighted to be in Malaysia. I wish to thank Prime Minister Najib, the Government and the people of Malaysia for the exceptional courtesies and warm hospitality extended to me and to members of my delegation.

When we met in New Delhi earlier this year, I was greatly impressed by Your Excellency's desire to create a qualitatively new bilateral relationship for the 21st Century.

I have come to Malaysia today to build upon the vision that you put forward in New Delhi.

Our people have a long and enduring relationship. We are tied together by bonds of history and culture. The large presence of Persons of Indian Origin in Malaysia provides an indelible link between India and Malaysia.

In the middle of the last century, we struggled to free ourselves from colonial rule. Our respective struggles for independence drew inspiration from each other. The great friendship between the first Prime Ministers of independent India and Malaysia - Jawaharlal Nehru and Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra - laid a firm foundation for our close ties.

At the dawn of our independence, at the Asian Relations Conference in 1947, our first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said, and I quote:

"Strong winds are blowing all over Asia. Let us not be afraid of them but welcome them for only with their help can we build the new Asia of our dreams." Unquote

These words are as true today as they were then. A robust and durable partnership between two leading democracies, India and Malaysia, will give strength and substance to the idea of a renewed and united Asia.

Our decision to establish a Strategic Partnership today is historic. We will work together as partners and close friends. Our cooperation will help to build a regional architecture that is conducive to prosperity, peace, and development.

Our talks today give me the confidence that we can transform our relationship at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.

Mr. Prime Minister, the people of India admire the leadership you are providing to your country and the new directions you are charting for Malaysia and ASEAN’s relations with the extended neighbourhood, particularly India.

We fully reciprocate your vision of a cooperative relationship that brings greater prosperity and progress to the people of India and Malaysia.

Thank you.

Kuala Lumpur
October 27, 2010