Defence Cooperation Deepens: India & Malaysia Co-Chair 12th MIDCOM

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 28-02-2024

Defence Cooperation Deepens: India & Malaysia Co-Chair 12th MIDCOM

Summit and Conference 4 min read

The 12th Defence Cooperation Committee meeting was held in New Delhi, co-chaired by Defence Secretary of India Giridhar Armane and Deputy Secretary General (Policy) of Malaysia Mohammad Yani Bin Dawood.

The 12th meeting of the Malaysia-India Committee on Defence Cooperation (MIDCOM) was held on September 19, 2023.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the outcomes of two sub-committee meetings – the meeting of the Sub-Committee on Military Cooperation held on July 27, 2023, and the meeting of the Joint Sub-Committee on Defense Science Technology and Industry Cooperation held on September 18, 2023. Was reviewed.
During this, both sides assessed the existing defence cooperation between the two countries and held wide-ranging discussions on issues of mutual interest, including regional issues.

Agreement on the establishment of the Strategic Affairs Working Group:

Both sides discussed effective and practical initiatives to expand bilateral defence relations further.
Agreed to establish a Strategic Affairs Working Group (SAWG) to create a consultative arrangement between MIDCOM and two sub-committees to discuss all aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries.
The two Presidents also talked about taking steps towards emerging areas of cooperation, such as cyber security and issues related to global commons. They identified means of enhancing existing areas of cooperation, particularly in the fields of defence industry, maritime security and multilateral cooperation.

MIDCOM shared an 8-point proposal:

During MIDCOM, the Defense Secretary discussed issues across a wide range of areas such as government-to-government level partnerships, tri-service cooperation, training, UN peacekeeping, bilateral service dialogue, defence industrial cooperation, Research and development and regional/sub-regional dialogue. Shared an 8-point proposal with the Malaysian side to expand cooperation between India and Malaysia.

Cooperation on shipbuilding and its maintenance:

The Defense Secretary highlighted the functionality of the domestic defence industry with the potential to collaborate with the Malaysian Armed Forces in shipbuilding and maintenance schemes.
Malaysia expressed confidence in the potential of the Indian defence industry and discussed the possibilities of co-design, co-production and co-development in the field of defence industry.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to fully implement the enhanced strategic partnership based on mutual trust and understanding, common interests and shared values of democracy and the rule of law.
As part of the visit, the Malaysian delegation also interacted with DRDO officials and identified areas of mutual interest.
The delegation visited Mumbai on 20 September 2023 for talks at Mazagon Dockyard Limited and Headquarters of Western Naval Command.