Article Posted on : - Mar 31, 2017

NEW DELHI (PTI): Projects worth USD five billion are expected to be discussed during the India visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, which started on Thursday, as the two sides look at inking more than a dozen business deals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Najib will hold wide-ranging talks on April one during which the two sides will also try to take forward their cooperation in key areas of security, defence and counter-terrorism.

Briefing reporters on the six-day visit, Jaideep Mazumdar, Joint Secretary (South) in the External Affairs Ministry, said, "Projects under discussion during the visit would amount to around USD five billion," and about 15 business agreements are also expected to be signed during a business event on April 3.

The Malaysian prime minister is scheduled to attend Trade Expo by Malaysia India Business Council Business Forum and 7Th Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council Meeting.

Asked if the two sides will ink a pact in the defence sector, he said the two sides will try to take forward the decisions taken in key strategic areas of security and defence in 2015 during Modi's visit to Malaysia.

He also described the bilateral ties in security, defence and counter-terrorism as robust.

On whether the two sides will discuss the threat of ISIS, he said international terrorism and terrorism in the region would be an important subject of discussion.

Najib, who will be in New Delhi on his third visit, is accompanied by his spouse Datin Sri Rosmah Mansour. His delegation consists of several cabinet ministers and senior officials. A delegation comprising 80-100 business leaders is also part of his team.

The Malaysian leader will visit Chennai and Jaipur.