India and Malaysia have reaffirmed their strong defence partnership at the 13th Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) meeting in Kuala Lumpur. The meeting was led by India’s Defence Secretary, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, and Malaysia’s Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence, Mr Lokman Hakim Bin Ali.
Both countries recognized the continuous growth of their defence relations and stressed the importance of regular military engagements. They discussed ways to collaborate on crucial areas like cyber security, artificial intelligence, maritime security, and defence industry development. They also talked about regional and global security challenges and how to tackle them together.
One of the key takeaways from the meeting was the decision to set up a joint focus group to deal with new and evolving maritime security threats. Another important development was the formalization of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for a Strategic Affairs Working Group. This group will serve as a bridge between MIDCOM and its sub-committees, ensuring smooth coordination and progress in defence cooperation.
To further enhance air force collaboration, India and Malaysia also agreed on the ToR for the Su-30 Forum. This initiative will help both air forces exchange knowledge and best practices in maintaining Su-30 fighter jets.
Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh highlighted the capabilities of India’s defence industry and its potential to work closely with Malaysia’s defence forces for modernization and technology upgrades. He also congratulated Malaysia on taking over the ASEAN chairmanship and assured India’s support for Malaysia’s role in ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) and other key defence discussions.
India reiterated its strong support for ASEAN’s unity and central role in the region, emphasizing Malaysia’s strategic significance in India’s Indo-Pacific Vision. India assured its commitment to backing Malaysia’s leadership in promoting regional stability and economic growth.
Malaysia is an important partner for India, positioned at the intersection of three key Indian foreign policy strategies—Act East Policy, Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. The MIDCOM discussions reinforced the shared commitment of both nations to strengthening defence ties and ensuring regional peace and security.