The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 20th September 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Acclamation for an Indian leadership that still endures 

Why in News?

Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim is scheduled to visit India from August 19-21, marking his first visit as Malaysia's Prime Minister.

What are the Key Outcomes of the Malaysian Prime Minister Visit to India?

• Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: The Enhanced Strategic Partnership, started in 2015, has been upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• Economic and Trade Enhancements: Trade between India and Malaysia has reached a record high of USD 19.5 billion, highlighting strong economic connections and a desire to grow trade relations.
• Investment Encouragement: Leaders from both countries urged more investments in sectors like fintech, energy, digital technologies, and start-ups to boost economic collaboration.
• ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA): The leaders agreed to support and speed up the review of AITIGA to make it more effective for businesses. The goal is to finish this review by 2025 and improve supply chains between India and ASEAN countries.
• MoUs and Agreements:Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to enhance cooperation in various fields:
  • Recruitment, Employment, and Repatriation of Workers: An MoU was signed to simplify the movement and management of workers between the two nations.
  • Ayurveda and Traditional Medicines: An MoU was signed for cooperation in Ayurveda and other traditional medical systems. India will create an Ayurveda Chair at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman in Malaysia to promote education and research in traditional medicine.
  • Digital Technologies: An MoU was signed to enhance collaboration in digital fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and digital public infrastructure. They agreed to connect India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Malaysia’s PayNet for easier digital transactions.
  • Culture, Arts, and Heritage: Promoting cultural exchanges and the preservation of heritage.
  • Tourism: Encouraging tourism and making travel easier between the two countries. India acknowledged Malaysia’s plan for Visit Malaysia Year in 2026.
  • Public Administration and Governance Reforms: Sharing best practices in governance and administrative improvements.
  • Youth and Sports: Promoting youth involvement and sports cooperation.
• Defense and Security Cooperation: The leaders agreed to enhance defense collaboration through regular exchanges, joint exercises, and capacity-building initiatives. They also committed to expanding the defense industry and research and development.
• Countering Terrorism: Both countries condemned terrorism and pledged to work together against terrorism and its connections to organized crime.
• Educational Cooperation: Malaysia welcomed an allocation of 100 seats under India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme for Malaysian students in areas like cybersecurity, AI, and machine learning.
• Multilateral Cooperation: Malaysia appreciated India’s support for ASEAN centrality and the upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. They agreed to strengthen interactions through ASEAN-led initiatives. India will assist Malaysia in its request to join BRICS.
• United Nations Cooperation: The leaders committed to enhancing cooperation at the UN, including support for India’s bid for permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council (UNSC).
• Sustainable Development and Climate Action: They agreed to work together on sustainable energy projects and climate change mitigation, with Malaysia joining the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). They recognized India’s initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), showing a shared commitment to global climate action.

What is the Significance of Visit for India’s Strategic Interests?

• India’s Act East Policy: The recent visit supports India’s Act East Policy, which focuses on building closer relationships with Southeast Asian countries. By working with Malaysia, India is strengthening its ties with the ASEAN region, increasing its influence and connections in Asia.
• Past Frictions:Historically, India and Malaysia have had some difficulties in their relationship. Malaysia has criticized India’s actions regarding Jammu and Kashmir (especially Article 370) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
  •  In 2019, during the UN General Assembly, Malaysia accused India of “invading and occupying” Kashmir. 
  • As a response, India cut back on imports of Malaysian palm oil, which is a crucial industry for Malaysia. This action significantly affected Malaysia, leading to a decrease in palm oil exports to India.
  • After a four-month diplomatic dispute, India resumed buying Malaysian palm oil.
  • Malaysia is the second-largest palm oil producer in the world and felt the impact of reduced imports from India, with Pakistan stepping in to fill the gap.
  • Tensions were worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, especially with the detention of Malaysians in India during lockdowns.
  •  The recent visit is a chance to refresh and strengthen the diplomatic relationship, particularly after difficult interactions during previous administrations. 
• Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI):Despite some advances, India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), started in 2019 to encourage cooperation in areas like Maritime Security and Trade Connectivity, has not reached its full potential.
  •  While countries like Vietnam and the Philippines have supported IPOI, Malaysia’s participation could enhance its influence in the Indo-Pacific and help achieve its strategic goals. 
• Addressing South China Sea Concerns:Talks about the South China Sea will shed light on Malaysia’s views regarding China’s growing influence in the region.
  •  Understanding Malaysia’s perspective is important for India to navigate the complex security situation in the region and develop its own strategies in the Indo-Pacific. 
• Boosting Trade Relations:Malaysia is the 31st largest investor in India, with a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of USD 1.18 billion from April 2000 to September 2023.
  •  About 70 Malaysian companies are active in India, operating in various sectors from construction to human resources. 
  •  Malaysia is India’s third-largest trading partner in ASEAN, while India holds the position of Malaysia’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia. 
  •  The recent visit aims to secure and expand these investments, further enhancing trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. 

What are the Key Highlights of the India Malaysia Relations?

• Historical Ties: The connection between India and Malaysia dates back over a thousand years, largely shaped by the Chola Empire from the 9th to the 13th centuries.
• The Cholas created wide-ranging sea trade routes that linked South India with the Malay Peninsula, encouraging both cultural and economic exchanges.
• Under leaders like Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I, the Cholas took control of parts of Southeast Asia, including what is now Malaysia.
• Economic and Commercial Relations: Malaysia ranks as India's 13th biggest trading partner, while India is among Malaysia's top ten trading partners and the 3rd largest within ASEAN.
• Exports from India:These include:
  • Mineral fuels
  • Aluminium
  • Meat
  • Iron and steel
  • Copper
  • Organic chemicals
  • Machinery
• Imports to India:These consist of:
  • Palm oil
  • Mineral fuels
  • Electrical machinery
  • Animal or vegetable fats
  • Wood
• A Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) has been in place since 2011, covering trade in goods, services, and investments.
• Trade Settlement in Indian Rupees: Since July 2022, trade between India and Malaysia can also be conducted in Indian Rupees, in addition to using other currencies, thanks to the India International Bank of Malaysia.
• The ASEAN-India Business Summit 2023 celebrated 30 years of ASEAN-India cooperation, with strong participation from Indian and Malaysian businesses.
• Defense Cooperation: The 1993 MoU on Defense Cooperation has been crucial for joint ventures, projects, and procurement between the two nations.
• A visit by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in July 2023 resulted in an update to the 1993 MoU and the opening of a regional office for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Kuala Lumpur.
• Joint Exercises:Military exercises include:
  • Harimau Shakti (Army)
  • Samudra Lakshmana (Navy)
  • Udara Shakti (Air Force)
  These activities strengthen cooperation between the armed forces.
• Regional Collaboration: The Indian Navy regularly collaborates with the Royal Malaysian Navy, enhancing maritime partnerships.
• Indian Community: Malaysia is home to about 2.95 million Indians, making it the second largest community of Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) in the world.
• This community primarily speaks Tamil, but also includes speakers of Telugu, Malayalam, Punjabi, and other languages.
• Community Issues:Challenges faced by this community include:
  • Illegal immigration
  • Exploitation of workers
  • Human trafficking
  However, they enjoy religious freedom with many Hindu temples and Gurudwaras available.
• Cultural Cooperation: The Indian Cultural Centre Kuala Lumpur, established in 2010 and renamed Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Center (NSCBICC), offers classes in:
  • Carnatic vocal music
  • Kathak dance
  • Yoga
  • Hindi
  The instructors come from both India and Malaysia.
• The Ramayana has influenced cultures throughout Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, with local versions such as Hikayat Seri Rama reflecting regional adaptations of this epic.
• Themes from the Ramayana can be seen in local stories, arts, and performances, highlighting a shared cultural heritage.
• The Sri Veera Hanuman Temple in Malaysia serves as a prime example of this shared heritage, showcasing architecture and stories deeply connected to Indian traditions.

Key Facts About  Malaysia

• Location: Southeast Asia; it is split into Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia, which are separated by the South China Sea.
• Capital:Kuala Lumpur.
• Highest Point:Mount Kinabalu, reaching a height of 13,455 feet (4,101 meters).
• Major Mountain Ranges: Includes the Main Range, Crocker Range, Bintang Range, and Hose Range.
• Major Rivers: Notable rivers are the Rajang, Sugut, Pahang, and Klang.
• Nature: Home to tropical rainforests, Malaysia is among the world's 17 megadiverse countries, hosting wildlife such as Malayan tigers, pygmy elephants, and Bornean orangutans.
• Government: Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy that gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1957.
• Peninsular Malaysia Borders: It shares land and sea borders with Thailand and has maritime borders with Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
• East Malaysia Borders: It shares land and sea borders with Brunei and Indonesia, and has maritime borders with the Philippines and Vietnam.
• Strait of Malacca: This strait is located between the Malay Peninsula (Peninsular Malaysia) and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It serves as the main shipping route between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Mains

Q. Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario. (2016)