Malaysia-India defence panel meet planned

By P. S. Suryanarayana

KUALA LUMPUR, APRIL 16. The third meeting of the Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) will be held later this year. This was decided here last week at a meeting between the Minister of State for Defence Production and Supply, Mr. Harin Pathak, and Malaysia's Defence Minister, Mr. Najib Tun Razak.

Mr. Pathak told this correspondent that the objective was to enhance the existing level of mutual confidence. The previous meeting of MIDCOM, which was constituted in 1993, was held in May 1997.

Mr. Pathak expressed the hope that the countries would enter into a protocol early on the exchange of data relating to their experience in maintaining and operating MiG-29 fighter planes. India had recently given Malaysia a draft proposal in this regard at the latter's suggestion. The two Ministers discussed the scope for intensifying exchange of military personnel for training in each other's institutions. While several Malaysian military officers had availed themselves of courses in India's National Defence Academy, New Delhi had now resumed its participation in Malaysian facilities. Two Indian officers were studying Malaysia's experience in jungle warfare, he pointed out.

Mr. Pathak identified research and development as a possible area of collaboration with Malaysia. He said he had invited Mr. Najib, who had first toured India in 1992 as the then Defence Minister, to pay another visit and see for himself the facilities at BEL. A HAL team would also visit Malaysia.

Although not on a mission to hardsell military hardware, Mr. Pathak said he had apprised the Malaysian side of India's ``strong defence infrastructure'' and production capabilities. New Delhi would like to continue supplying spares for helicopters operated by the Malaysian Army Aviation unit.

Mr. Pathak and India's High Commissioner to Malaysia, Mr. P.S. Sahai, said the issue of New Delhi's nuclear doctrine did not figure in the talks.

Mr. Pathak also visited two Indian vessels, a destroyer and a missile corvette, which on goodwill calls to Malaysia's premier port of Klang. Rear Admiral A. K. Singh, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet, headed the goodwill mission.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : A shift in Pak. approach
Next     : Schroeder for work permits to Indian IT experts