India, Malaysia to boost partnership in defence

India and Malaysia today held their maiden security dialogue, reviewing ongoing bilateral cooperation in security, defence and maritime domains.

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The meeting was co-chaired by India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Malaysia’s Director General of the National Security Council Raja Dato’ Nushirwan Bin Zainal Abidin.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both sides agreed to deepen collaboration in counter-terrorism, deradicalisation, cybersecurity, defence industry and maritime security. They also discussed enhancing cooperation in critical minerals and rare earths. It was agreed to institutionalise the dialogue through annual meetings.

During the discussions, both sides exchanged views on the global and regional security environment.

The dialogue follows the visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim to India in August 2024, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During that visit, India-Malaysia bilateral ties were elevated to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,’ and both leaders committed to strengthening bilateral security cooperation.