India-Malaysia agrees to formulate mechanism to expand defence engagements

India and Malaysia have together agreed to establish a Strategic Affairs working Group (SAWG) to formulate a consultative mechanism to expand bilateral defence engagements and to handle all aspects of the defence cooperation between the two countries. Not only this, both sides assessed the existing defence cooperation between the two countries and held wide-ranging discussions on issues of mutual interest including regional issues. The decision was taken at the 12th meeting of Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) held in New Delhi on Tuesday. 

The Ministry of Defence later issued a statement, briefing about the meeting that took place between India and Malaysia in the national capital co-chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Deputy Secretary General (Policy), Malaysia Mohd Yani bin Daud.

Steps aticulated to expand cooperation in cyber security

As per information shared by the ministry, during the 12th meeting of Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM), both sides reviewed the outcomes of the two sub-committee meetings, including sub-committee meeting on military cooperation held on July 27th, 2023 and joint sub-committee on Defence Science Technology and Industry Cooperation held on September 18th, 2023.

During the meeting, both sides assessed the existing defence cooperation and explored effective and practical initiatives to further expand bilateral defence engagements. The two sides also agreed to establish the SAWG to formulate a consultative mechanism intermediate between the MIDCOM and the two sub-committees to handle all aspects of the defence cooperation. 

Apart from this, the two sides also articulated steps in the direction of emerging areas of cooperation like cyber security and issues pertaining to global commons and identified means to enhance existing areas of collaboration, especially in the field of defence industry, maritime security and multilateral cooperation.

The defence secretary shared an eight-point proposal with the Malaysian side to expand cooperation on a wide range of areas such as government to government-level engagement, tri-service cooperation, training, UN peacekeeping, bilateral services engagement, defence industrial cooperation, research & development and regional or sub-regional engagements.

Additionally, the defence secretary highlighted the potential of the domestic defence industry with capacity and capability to cooperate with the Malaysian Armed Forces in its shipbuilding and maintenance plans. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to fully implement the enhanced strategic partnership based on mutual trust and understanding, common interests and shared values of democracy and rule of law.

As part of the visit, the Malaysian delegation also interacted with DRDO officials and identified areas of mutual interest. The delegation is scheduled to visit Mumbai on September 20th for interactions at Mazagaon Dockyard Limited and Headquarters, Western Naval Command.