Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak on Monday, the final day of his visit to Kuala Lumpur to attend two weekend summits on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit.
Modi and his delegation travelled to the Putrajaya, an “intelligent garden city” built on marshland and a former oil palm estate 25 km south of Kuala Lumpur, for the meeting. Putrajaya is the federal administrative capital of Malaysia and home to the Perdana Putra complex which houses the Prime Minister’s Office and residence, Seri Paradana.
Razak welcomed Modi at Perdana Square, following which he inspected a guard of honour. The national anthems of both countries were played by a ceremonial band, after which Modi was introduced to the Malaysian cabinet, ministers and other dignitaries.
After the ceremonial welcome and a photo op, Modi held a one-to-one meeting with Razak, with whom he has interacted several times in the past two days on the margins of the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits.
This meeting will be followed by talks between delegations led by the two Prime Ministers. The campaign against international terrorism, which overshadowed the two regional summits, and ways to boost trade and investment between the two countries is expected to dominate the discussions.
{{/usCountry}}This meeting will be followed by talks between delegations led by the two Prime Ministers. The campaign against international terrorism, which overshadowed the two regional summits, and ways to boost trade and investment between the two countries is expected to dominate the discussions.
{{/usCountry}}Modi is also expected to raise issues affecting the Indian diaspora and expatriates, such as the immediate recognition of educational degrees of both countries.
The talks will be followed by the signing of several agreements and press statements by Modi and Razak.
Modi will return to Kuala Lumpur in the afternoon and inaugurate the Torana Gate, a replica of the gate at the historic Sanchi Stupa, in the Brickfields area of the Malaysian capital, which is also known as “Little India” for its large number of residents of Indian origin.
Razak will host an official lunch at the Hilton Hotel for Modi, who will subsequently interact with Corporate Malaysia
Later in the afternoon, Modi will visit the Batu Caves Temple in Selangor, a popular tourist destination and a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan that attracts thousands of devotees during the annual Thaipusam festival. Located north of Kuala Lumpur, the complex has three caves with temples and shrines.
Modi and his delegation will then leave for Singapore, the second stop in his two-nation tour.
Read: Terrorism kills people of all faiths: PM Modi in Malaysia