India-Malaysia bhai-bhai

India-Malaysia bhai-bhai

India, Malaysia start negotiations on CECA
Kuala Lumpur (PTI): India and Malaysia on Monday began negotiations on opening their markets through an agreement which will not only cover trade in goods and services but also investment.
The first meeting of Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC) on signing a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) started here.
"The main agenda at the meet includes the overall architecture of CECA, range covered, the timeline, working group etc," Indian envoy to Malaysia Ashok Kantha said.
The TNC is also the co-chair of the India-Asean Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Malaysia, which is keen on a CECA with India, has taken a tough stand in the India-Asean talks demanding more market access for its palm oil.
CECA negotiations between India and Malaysia are expected to be completed by the end of 2009, Kantha said.
He added that Monday's meeting, attended by Department of Commerce Joint Secretary P K Dash from the Indian side, and Malaysian International Trade and Industry Ministry's Deputy Secretary General (Trade) Rebecca Fatima Maria, will set the tone for the CECA negotiations. Kantha said CECA "will be a single undertaking with everything covered under it."
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200802041402.htm

India, Malaysia seeking ways to join hands in fighting terror
Kuala Lumpur (PTI): India and Malaysia are seeking ways to "synchronise" their efforts in fighting terrorism, Army chief General Deepak Kapoor said here on Monday.
Kapoor also said India has offered its expertise in counter-terror operations to Malaysia, adding the "response has been positive".
"We would like to synchronise ways to combat terrorism. ...Terrorism is a matter of concern for all of us. Now fourth generation warfare can take place, it is worrying," the Army chief, who is here on an official visit, said.
Kapoor's visit to the key East Asian nation comes after last month's tour by Defence Minister A K Antony as part of India's 'Look East' policy.
The Army chief said he had "useful, productive talks" with his Malaysian counterpart and the country's defence minister this morning.
"India wants to improve the defence component in ties with Malaysia and issues like counter-terrorism, peacekeeping operations, border management and exchange of expertise came up during the talks," he said, adding the two countries were to start dedicated army-to-army talks shortly.
Exchange of military expertise between the two nations also featured in the talks, he said. "It is a two-way process. Indian army is vast, our expertise is large and on some aspects we could provide some expertise and we would also like to learn from them (Malaysia) too," Kapoor said.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200802042071.htm