Thaindian News

Kuala Lumpur, May 2 (IANS) The 5th India-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) being held here Tuesday will discuss the way forward for the strategic partnership and review economic ties.

A full range of bilateral issues is on the agenda to follow up the issues discussed by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh during their consultations in New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur in January and October last year.

The Indian delegation would be led by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna with the Malaysian side being led by Foreign Minister Anifah Aman.

Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia Vijay Gokhale said the JCM was significant following the signing of the long-awaited Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between both countries Feb 18.

The CECA, he said, would come into force July 1 and both sides were currently working to complete several procedures.

“This is a landmark agreement in the bilateral relationship which will create a strong foundation for our economic partnership.

“Krishna’s trip within six months of the visit by Manmohan Singh is an indication of the high priority that India attaches to its relations with Malaysia,” Gokhale told The Star.

He said both ministers would also give their input on other economic agreements that were being planned.

According to local statistics, about 700,000 Indian nationals travelled to Malaysia last year, with more than 110 weekly flights between both countries, The Star said.

India was Malaysia’s 12th largest import source and 11th largest export destination in 2010, with bilateral trade totalling US$7.3 billion.