New Delhi, July 1: India and Malaysia reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral military cooperation during the 12th India-Malaysia Sub Committee Meeting on Military Cooperation (SCMC) held in New Delhi on Tuesday. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to expanding defence ties and working together to promote peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Amitabh Prasad, and Major General Amer Mahmud Bin Abdul Rahman, Assistant Chief of Staff (Defence Operations & Training) of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Wide-Ranging Defence Discussions
The two sides expressed satisfaction over the steady progress made in bilateral defence cooperation and reviewed ongoing military engagements between the two countries.
Discussions covered a broad range of areas, including:
- Military-to-military exchanges
- Bilateral military exercises
- Joint training programmes
- Staff-level talks
- Capacity building initiatives
- Maritime cooperation
- Collaboration in emerging security domains
Both delegations agreed to further strengthen cooperation through increased exchanges, professional interactions and greater participation in each other’s military training institutions.
Focus on Defence Technology and Cyber Security
The meeting also explored opportunities to deepen cooperation in several new areas, including:
- Defence industry collaboration
- Defence technology
- Cyber security
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
Both sides agreed that expanding cooperation in these sectors would contribute significantly to strengthening the India-Malaysia defence partnership.
Commitment to Indo-Pacific Security
India and Malaysia reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific, in accordance with international law.
The two delegations also exchanged views on regional and global security developments and reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) framework, particularly through the Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
Defence Cooperation a Key Pillar of Strategic Partnership
Officials noted that defence cooperation has emerged as one of the most important pillars of the India-Malaysia Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen bilateral defence ties based on mutual trust, shared strategic interests and a common vision for a secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Preparations for Higher-Level Defence Dialogue
The SCMC serves as the principal military-to-military consultative mechanism between India and Malaysia and lays the groundwork for the higher-level India-Malaysia Defence Cooperation Meeting, which is held at the Defence Secretary level.
The two sides reviewed the implementation of decisions taken during the previous SCMC and expressed confidence that the outcomes of the latest meeting would provide momentum for the forthcoming Defence Cooperation Meeting.
Malaysian Delegation Pays Tribute at National War Memorial
During their visit to India, the Malaysian delegation called on Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and visited DPSU Bhawan at the World Trade Centre in New Delhi.
Before the formal discussions, the head of the Malaysian delegation paid tribute to India’s fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial, reflecting the close and respectful defence relationship shared by the two countries.
Growing India-Malaysia Defence Partnership
India and Malaysia have steadily expanded defence cooperation over the past decade through regular naval exercises, training exchanges, defence dialogues and maritime security cooperation. As both nations play important roles in the Indo-Pacific, strengthening military engagement has become an increasingly significant component of their broader strategic partnership.