Narendra Modi holds talks with Najib Razak

From Jaishree Balasubramanian

Putrajaya (Malaysia)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak on ways to ramp up bilateral cooperation with the focus on building a “well-rounded partnership”.

On the third and final day of his Malaysia visit, Modi began bilateral programmes with a ceremonial welcome here.

Modi was warmly embraced by Najib as he got out of his car at Perdana square in Putrajaya, the sprawling administrative capital on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

Modi, dressed in a Bandhgala, inspected a guard of honour and was introduced by Najib to Malaysian Ministers and officials.

Modi then held a one-on-one meeting with Najib.

“A tete-a-tete begins proceedings. PM @narendramodi in a restricted meeting with PM @NajibRazak,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Delegation level talks began after the ceremonial welcome, the guard of honour and the one-on-one meeting between Modi and Najib.

“Focusing on a well-rounded partnership. PM @narendramodi and PM @NajibRazak lead delegation level talks,” Swarup said in a tweet.

Defence and security were key areas in which both countries were looking to ramp up bilateral cooperation.

Modi has said Malaysia is at the core of the his government’s ‘Act East Policy’. India has has a strategic partnership with Malaysia since 2010.

PTI