Outstanding Issues, MoUs On Projects Worth US$30 Billion To Be Signed During Modi's Visit To M'sia

By M.Santhiran NEW DELHI, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is expected to discuss several outstanding issues with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak on Monday. Both leaders are also expected to witness the signing of several MOUs on potential projects by Malaysian companies in India, worth nearly US$30 billion. Modi who is scheduled to be in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (Nov 21-22) for the ASEAN-India Summit, is likely to discuss further on projects in the northern states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Indian External Affairs Minister's secretary (East) Anil Wadhwa said senior officials of both countries were finalising details on the projects before the signing of the MoUs in Kuala Lumpur. In a media briefing on Modi's visit to Malaysia and Singapore this weekend, Anil said Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak are also expected to engage further in discussions on the Malaysian companies investing in Digital India and 200 Smart City projects in India. "During the bilateral talk, both leaders are also scheduled to exchange views on solving issues faced by Malaysian infrastructure companies as raised by the Malaysian Works Minister (Fadillah Yusof), especially on late payment to contractors," said Anil. During his visit to India last month, Fadillah, other than raising the issue of late payment, also highlighted to Indian officials the difficulties faced by Malaysian companies to secure loans from local banks. At the press conference, Anil told the media that there will be a joint-press conference on Monday about 11am at Najib's office before Modi heads to inaugurate the "Torana Gate" at Little India, Brickfields. The gate was donated by the Indian government to mark the good relationship between both countries and Modi is scheduled to meet Malaysian corporate leaders after a lunch hosted by Najib. The Indian prime minister is also scheduled to address some 8,000 people at the Malaysia International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC) on Saturday night, where mostly invited guests, representatives of political parties and local Indian based NGOs will attend. Modi would also unveil the Swamy Vivekananda statue at the Ramakrisna Mission in Petaling Jaya (in Malaysia's Selangor state) on Sunday (Nov 22), before concluding his trip after visiting the Subramaniyar Temple in Batu Caves. -- BERNAMA