India, Malaysia expand defence ties, focus on AI, cyber security

India and Malaysia have strengthened their defence partnership and aim to enhance cooperation in emerging areas such as cyber security and artificial intelligence. Both nations have identified ways to deepen existing collaboration, particularly in the defence industry, maritime security and multilateral engagements.

Following the 13th Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, the two sides also agreed to form a joint focus group to tackle non-traditional maritime security threats. The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Malaysia’s Secretary General of Defence, Lokman Hakim Bin Ali.

The Ministry of Defence stated that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fully implement new initiatives under the defence pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the latter’s visit to India in August 2024.

In a key development, India and Malaysia exchanged the finalised Terms of Reference for the establishment of a Strategic Affairs Working Group, which will serve as an intermediary consultative mechanism between MIDCOM and its sub-committees to advance bilateral defence cooperation.

Both countries also agreed to enhance cooperation on maintenance of the Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, which are operated by their respective air forces. The Defence Secretary highlighted the capabilities of India’s defence industry, particularly its potential for collaboration with Malaysian companies and the Malaysian Armed Forces in modernisation and capability enhancement.

Malaysia is among the six nations involved in a maritime territorial dispute in the South China Sea.