India and Malaysia met in New Delhi and discussed a wide array of subjects, ranging from assessing the current state of defence cooperation between the two countries. At the 12th Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) in New Delhi the two sides also talked about addressing issues of mutual interest, including regional concerns.
Both parties actively brainstormed effective and practical initiatives to further bolster their bilateral defence engagements. A noteworthy development was the agreement to establish a Strategic Affairs working Group (SAWG).
This group would serve as a consultative mechanism, bridging the MIDCOM and the two Sub-committees, to comprehensively handle all aspects of defence cooperation between the two nations.
The MIDCOM meeting convened in New Delhi on September 19, 2023, marks a significant milestone in the bilateral defence relationship between the two nations. This crucial meeting was co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary, Giridhar Aramane, and Malaysia’s Deputy Secretary General (Policy), Mohd Yani bin Daud.
During the meeting, both sides meticulously reviewed the outcomes of two pivotal sub-committee meetings, namely the Sub Committee on Military Cooperation held on July 27, 2023, and the Joint Sub Committee on Defence Science Technology and Industry Cooperation held on September 18, 2023. These meetings had laid the groundwork for more extensive discussions and collaborations.
Furthermore, the co-chairs of the meeting delved into emerging areas of cooperation, such as cyber security, and addressed issues relating to the global commons. They explored avenues to enhance existing areas of collaboration, with a particular emphasis on defence industry cooperation, maritime security, and multilateral initiatives.
One of the highlights of the MIDCOM meeting was the presentation of an 8-point proposal by the Indian Defence Secretary. This proposal outlined various avenues for expanding cooperation between India and Malaysia, encompassing government-to-government engagement, tri-service cooperation, training, UN Peacekeeping, bilateral services engagement, defence industrial cooperation, research and development, and regional/sub-regional engagements.
Notably, discussions also revolved around India’s burgeoning domestic defence industry and its capacity to collaborate with the Malaysian Armed Forces, particularly in shipbuilding and maintenance. Malaysia expressed confidence in India’s defence industry capabilities and engaged in talks regarding the possibilities of co-design, co-production, and co-development in the realm of defence industry initiatives.
Both countries reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to fully implementing the Enhanced Strategic Partnership, which is grounded in mutual trust, common interests, and shared values of democracy and the rule of law.
As part of their visit, the Malaysian delegation interacted with officials from the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Additionally, they are scheduled to visit Mumbai today (Sept 20, 2023), for further interactions, including engagements at Mazagaon Dockyard Limited and Headquarters, Western Naval Command. This visit signifies the depth and scope of the burgeoning defence ties between Malaysia and India.