India interested in Malaysia’s deradicalisation programme
NEW DELHI:
India is interested in learning how Malaysia tackles extremism and terrorism, in particular its successful process of deradicalisation.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had mentioned this during a meeting between the two at Hyderabad House earlier.
“Prime Minister Modi suggested an international conference on deradicalisation be held soon, with Malaysia and India as joint hosts. (He) is pleased with the way we have tackled terrorism, in particular our deradicalisation programme, which has been very successful,” he told Malaysian newsmen here, after the foureyed meeting in Hyderabad House.
Earlier, the prime minister and other members of the Malaysian delegation performed Friday prayers at India’s Parliament mosque.
In the morning, Najib and wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, joined nine other Asean leaders and their wives in attending India’s 69th Republic Day parade.
On another matter, Najib said he agreed with Modi’s suggestion that the two countries’ air forces should hold joint exercises.
“The Indian Air Force will be holding an exercise with the Royal Australian Air Force soon and Modi suggested that they also hold exercises with the Royal Malaysian Air Force. In our meeting, we also discussed about (our countries) working together in maintenance of the Sukhoi (SU30MK) aircraft that we both use, as well as a proposal that Malaysia decommissions our MiG-29N (fighter aircraft and sells them) to India. India is still weighing up this suggestion,” he said.
The RMAF has 18 Russianmade SU-30MKM Flankers, which it purchased in 2007, and 18 MiG-29N Fulcrum aircraft procured in 1995.
On his fourth visit to India since becoming prime minister, Najib said the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and India was at its strongest level yet, while his close personal relationship with Modi had enabled them to find solutions to common issues.
He said the South Asian nation was expected to be the fastest growing economy in the world within two years and MalaysiaIndia and Asean-India cooperation would be important for the region.