TERRORISM, human trafficking, maritime safety, South China Sea dispute and trade will be the focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day visit to Malaysia from Saturday (November 21), where he will address two powerful regional blocs at the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits.
Modi will also hold talks with top leadership of Malaysia, including his counterpart Najib Razak, on ways to ramp up bilateral cooperation in a range of areas including defence and security and take the strategic ties to a new level. The two sides are likely to sign a number of MoUs.
Modi will address the East Asia Summit on Sunday (November 22). India is the founding member of the grouping formed ten years ago.
Modi has said that Malaysia is at the core of the his government's 'Act East Policy'. India has a strategic
partnership with Malaysia since 2010.
The issue of connectivity is expected to figure in India and ASEAN talks.
A motor vehicles agreement involving India-Myanmar- Thailand has just been finalised and negotiations are on for an ASEAN-India maritime transport agreement.
Leaders will also discuss the new Plan of Action (2016-2020) to further enhance ASEAN-India cooperation along the politico-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars.
Combating terrorism is likely to be one of the key issues at the 10th East Asia Summit as nations, shocked by the recent horrific Paris terror attacks, try to step up efforts to stem the menace.
The leaders of East Asia Summit are also expected to discuss irregular migration, South China Sea disputes, situation in Korean Peninsula and Middle East.
Disputes in the South China Sea involve both island and maritime claims among several states namely Brunei, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
