Indian PM pays tribute to Malaysian Indians, says Msia "holds a special place in my heart"

By THARANYA ARUMUGAM | New Straits Times – 5 hours ago

: Malaysia has always held a special place in the heart of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking at the “Malaysia Welcomes Modi” event today, he said Malaysia has always extended to him love and friendship.

“Malaysia holds a special place in my heart. It has always welcomed me with the same warmth, love and friendship,” he said amidst loud cheers from the 15,000 Indian crowd at the Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC), here.

Modi paid tribute to Malaysian Indians, whom he said had contributed to Malaysia’s development in becoming an economic powerhouse.

He also thanked Malaysian Indians for coming together to raise money for the earthquake victims of Gujarat in 2001.

The prime minister also called on countries to come together to combat terrorism, which he said was the biggest threat to the world today.

“The world must come together to combat the biggest challenge of our time. No country must promote terrorism.

“We need to work with other countries… and we need to ensure the Internet doesn’t become a recruiting ground (for terrorist activities),” he said, adding that all leaders should work together to ensure that countries remain safe and that the economy continues to prosper.

Modi will be meeting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tomorrow to discuss various issue of concern to the Indian community, including the need for both nations to recognise university degrees conferred by both nations.

Najib and Modi will inaugurate the Torana Gate in Little India, Brickfields tomorrow, which Modi said would remind visitors of the relationship between both nations and people

Modi arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Friday on a three-day visit to Malaysia to attend the Asean-India and East Asia summits.

The public reception is organised by The Welcome Partners, which comprises of Indian expatriates and 90 cultural and community organisations from across the country.

The event, ‘Malaysia Welcomes Modi’ pays tribute to the close ties between India and the Malaysia, highlighting the formidable contribution made by members of the Indian diaspora in all walks of Malaysian life.