Defence minister AK Antony’s Malaysia visit to strengthen bilateral ties

New Delhi: India's defence minister, AK Antony, leaves for Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, 6 January on a trip aimed at bolstering bilateral defence relationship. The minister's visit comes in the shadow of the Malaysian government's crack down on ethnic Indians agitating for equal rights and opportunities in that country.

Leading a high-level team, AK Antony, is scheduled to meet Malaysian prime minister Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi, deputy PM and defence minister Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak and foreign minister Ahmed Syed Hamid Albar during his three-day visit.

AK Antony's visit is aimed at expanding defence exchanges and cooperation with Malaysia as part of India's 'Look East' policy. Bilateral defence ties received a boost of sorts, certainly at Malaysia's end, with India agreeing to train Royal Malaysian Air Force pilots to fly Russian Su-30MKM fighter jets, for which both sides signed a protocol. The Malaysian government will make agreed upon payments for the training of its pilots and technicians.

The protocol is the second of its kind for India, after concluding one with Singapore under which it will allow some of its air bases, training and artillery ranges for training of Singaporean armed forces personnel.

Indian naval warships also regularly visit Malaysia, and conduct joint exercises. India has also participated regularly in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibitions, including the latest one held last month. 

Malaysia has a large ethnic Indian population, which form 8 per cent of the country's 27 million population. Interestingly, Malaysia traditionally takes a hostile stance towards India at various international for a, particularly ASEAN forums.

As a country it is very dependent on export of palm oil, of which India is a large importer. Lately, Malaysia is also the beneficiary of large tourist inflows from India.