Narendra Modi to focus on anti-terror, business cooperation in Malaysia
New Delhi: Shoring up efforts to combat terrorism and enhancing economic engagement will be the focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he addresses two powerful regional blocs at the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits during his tree-day visit to Kuala Lumpur beginning Saturday.
Modi will also hold talks with top leadership of Malaysia on ways to ramp up bilateral cooperation in a range of areas including defence and security and take the strategic ties to a new level. The two sides are likely to sign a number of MoUs.
Combating terrorism is likely to be the major focus area of the 10th East Asia Summit and the Prime Minister will seek concerted efforts to defeat the challenge as the shock of the Paris terrorist attacks jolted the whole world, said officials.
The ASEAN is considered one of the world's fastest growing regions and both sides are likely to seek greater economic engagement besides expanding cooperation in host of other areas such as maritime security and dealing with illicit drug trafficking and cyber crime.
ASEAN is India's fourth largest trading partner and India in turn is sixth largest trading partner for the bloc. The combined GDP of both sides is USD 2.57 trillion.
On November 21, Modi will attend the 13th ASEAN-India Summit and will address the East Asia Summit the next day.
"In view of rise of non-traditional security threats ASEAN and India are looking closely in addressing terrorism, drug trafficking, cyber crime and piracy along the Malacca Straight," said Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs Anil Wadhwa.
Asked about the recent flare up in South China Sea following visit of a US ship, he said India does not favour any party and has been maintaining that any dispute in the region must be resolved through dialogue.
He said India was for speedy implementation of the declaration of code of conduct and was looking forward to conclusion of a document in this regard between ASEAN and China.
India and ASEAN countries are also likely to discuss ways to enhance connectivity links. A motor vehicles agreement among India-Myanmar-Thailand has just been finalised and the negotiations for ASEAN-India maritime transport agreement are also underway, he said.
The leaders of East Asia Summit are expected to discuss matters of international concern including terrorism, irregular migration, South China Sea, situation in Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East.
About seven statements and declarations are scheduled to be adopted at the summit, said Wadhwa.
