Malaysia and India are seeking to boost defence cooperation and also on combating terrorism.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who had a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, said both countries agreed to hold joint air exercises, specifically on tactical deployment of Sukhoi aircraft.

"Prime Minister Modi suggested that on the journey back from or to Australia concerning air exercises, Indian Air Force planes could stop over in Malaysia for the same.

"And I agreed that the joint air exercises be held because they have experience in terms of tactical deployment of Sukhoi jets and we are also looking into how they can assist us in the maintenance and serviceability of the aircraft," Najib told Malaysian journalists in New Delhi today.

Najib is in the Indian capital to attend the Asean-India Commemorative Summit, which coincides with the country’s 69th Republic Day.

According to Najib, both countries also hoped to increase cooperation between their two navies, especially in submarine warfare.

“This is because they have Scorpene submarines, which Malaysia also has, and it goes to show that the Scorpene is among the best (military) assets as India is known to have among the best navies.

“That is why when the opposition say that the Scorpene cannot submerge they are talking nonsense. India has it and so too many other counties,” he said.

Najib said Modi also stated that India was interested in the deradicalisation programmes implemented by Malaysia, which have recorded a high success rate and invited Malaysia to be joint host in organising a conference on the matter.

At the same meeting, Najib said he had also congratulated Modi on India’s success in recording rapid economic growth and the success of the latter’s party BJP, which controls 19 of the 29 states in India.

“Maybe in the history of politics, whereby the BJP party showed solid strength and on the consolidation efforts they made, it made it easier for India to bring about renewal and structural changes to accelerate economic growth,” he said.

On bilateral ties, Najib said the two countries had made much progress and now relations were more cordial and comfortable.

In his meeting, Najib said that he also discussed opportunities to increase the total number of seats for Malaysian airlines servicing Indian routes from the extra 1,861 seats weekly agreed to by the Indian government during his official visit to the republic in March last year.

Malaysia and India had renewed their Air Services Agreement then to increase the number of seats to 22,531 weekly (including the additional 1,861 seats) to encourage industry players to boost tourism between the two countries.

Commenting on the Padma Shri award by the government of India to renowned Malaysian Indian classical dance choreographer Ramli Ibrahim, Najib said it was a great honour for him.

Ramli is among 10 individuals from Asean countries to be presented India’s fourth highest civilian award in conjunction with India’s Republic Day this year.

- Bernama