Concerned over the rising cases of radicalisation and attraction of the youth towards ISIS, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sought to know Malaysia’s programme on deradicalisation during his meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Md Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak. Razak presented a book to Modi on his deradicalisation policy and promised to give more details to India to help it fight Islamic terrorism.
Razak also announced that Malaysia will open 15 per cent of the seats in Malaysian public universities for students of other countries so that Indian students can benefit from their education system. He said there is huge scope for students of Maths and Statistical Studies in his country. He also announced to waive visa fee for Indian tourists travelling to Malaysia for a maximum 15 days’ stay. Indians will be allowed multiple-entry to Malaysia through this visa.
In his media address after the talks, Modi said: “We live in a time and in a region where both conventional and non-conventional security threats are constantly on the rise…Your own leadership in countering radicalisation and terrorism is an inspiration for the entire region.”
“We agreed that these challenges threaten stability, economic prosperity and require us and other countries of region to work together.
We have agreed to further strengthen our strategic partnership to shape an effective response to our common concerns and challenges,” the PM added.
India and Malaysia signed seven agreements on air services, mutual recognisation of educational degrees and in sports among others even as terrorism and security issues dominated the talks between the two sides. Speaking after the bilateral talks, Modi said he deeply appreciates the continuous cooperation between India and Malaysian in the joint anti-terrorism efforts.
“Defence and strategic partnership will be very important for us to fight global terrorism, militancy, extremism, that includes fight against ISIS. Malaysia will never be a place for militancy and extremism to take root,” Razak said adding Malaysia would want India to play a bigger role in anti-terrorism, defence and maritime cooperation. “Our relationship will grow strength by strength and will be enduring,” Razak said.
The two sides also agreed to strengthen their economic cooperation. Malaysian companies have heavily invested in India’ s telecommunication, oil, power plants, roads and highways, human resources and tourism.
The Malaysian PM acknowledged that he has deep admiration for Modi and Indian films. “I would like to take this opportunity to place on record my deep admiration for the leadership of PM Modi,” Razak said before talking about his next liking. “I am a fan of Indian films, especially after a visit to Chennai,” Razak said and hoped that the sequel of Rajnikanth-starrer Kabali will be shot in Malaysia. Razak had met the actor at his home in Chennai on Friday where he was told that the script for Kabali 2 was being written.
Razak had earlier called on President Pranab Mukherjee and held meetings with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.