India considers Malaysia a close friend and partner: Krishna
May 3rd, 2011 - 5:26 pm ICT by ANINew Delhi, May 3 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna has said that India considers Malaysia a close friend and partner, which is evident from the exchange of visits by the Prime Ministers in 2010, and the decision to establish a strategic partnership.
“Malaysia has steadily grown in importance for India both bilaterally and in the regional context. We consider Malaysia a close friend and partner. This is evident from the exchange of visits by the Prime Ministers in 2010, and the decision to establish a Strategic Partnership. We attach high priority to this relationship. My visit is intended to progress our Strategic Partnership,” Krishna told The Star in an interview.
“The holding of the 5th Joint Commission in six months after our Prime Minister’s visit is also a reflection of this desire. The Malaysian Foreign Minister and I will review the progress in the implementation of understandings reached at the highest level. We will be directing the concerned ministries and departments to expedite discussions in all areas, and we also discuss new proposals,” he added.
Krishna further said both India and Malaysia will work closely in all matters of common interest, including economic, defence and security fields, with a view to achieving a long-term strategic partnership.
Further talking about India’s tourist visa policy, Krishna said: “To counter growing terrorist threats to India’s security, the new tourist visa policy was introduced in 2010 which prescribes the second visit of a tourist to take place after a gap of two months. This is not applicable to any other category of visas.”
“Also, this is a policy, which is not specific to Malaysia, but applies to all countries. Exceptions are made to bona-fide tourists and visitors on certain bases,” he added. (ANI)
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Tags: bilaterally, economic defence, exceptions, external affairs minister, fide tourists, foreign minister, gap, high priority, krishna, New Delhi, prime ministers, reflection, regional context, security fields, strategic partnership, terrorist threats, tourist visa, understandings, visa policy, visas