November 1st, 2010
India, Malaysia to deepen strategic partnership

India and Malaysia on October 27 pledged to elevate their deepening relationship to a longterm and strategic partnership that would include promoting military ties and jointly fighting terror, said Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in a media statement after his official talks with Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Tun Razak.
Prime Minister Singh’s statement to the press:
“This is my first bilateral visit to Malaysia and I am delighted to be in this beautiful country. I wish to convey my sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Dato' Sri Najib and the people of Malaysia for the very warm welcome given to me and for the excellent arrangements that have been made for our stay.
When Prime Minister Najib visited India in January this year, he had spoken of his wish to see a qualitatively new relationship between our two countries. My visit to Malaysia reflects the commitment of our Government to advance our relations to new heights.
India and Malaysia are two major countries of Asia. Malaysia is an influential member of the world community whose voice is heard with great respect in global institutions. Our discussions today have laid the basis for a multi-faceted partnership between India and Malaysia. This will contribute to the peace, prosperity and development of Asia.
Prime Minister Najib and I have agreed today on the framework for a strategic partnership. The Joint Statement outlines a road map for enhanced contacts between our countries at the political, business and people-to-people levels, based on our shared values of democracy and multiculturalism. We have agreed to work closely with each other on regional and international matters of common interest, including on combating the scourge of terrorism. It is a matter of deep satisfaction that we have successfully concluded negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. We have agreed that the two sides will work to complete the formalities by 31 January 2011 so that CECA can come into force by the agreed date of 1 July 2011. I am confident that this Agreement will transform our economic engagement in a substantive way.
Today we will also formally launch the India-Malaysia CEOs Forum. This will encourage direct interaction between business and industry in each other’s countries as well in third countries. I conveyed to the Prime Minister that India welcomes greater Malaysian investment in our infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, and our companies similarly look forward to doing greater business in Malaysia and the ASEAN region.
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India, Japan clinch Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

India and Japan on October 25 concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which Prime Minister Dr. Mamohan Singh described as a “historic achievement” that signalled the economic alignment of two of the largest economies in Asia. “It will open up new business opportunities and lead to a quantum increase in trade and investment flows between our two countries,” Dr. Singh said at a joint press interaction with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, held after their talks.
Dr. Singh said his talks with Mr Kan had been “very productive and fruitful”. He said the tradition of regular high-level dialogue was the hallmark of the India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership.
Statement by Dr.Singh at the Joint Press Interaction with Japanese Prime Minister:
“I wish to begin by thanking Prime Minister Kan and the government and people of Japan for the warm welcome extended to me and members of my delegation. It is always a pleasure to be back in this beautiful city. Prime Minister Kan and I have just concluded
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