The Crucial Role of India in Malaysia's Joint Security

India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent visit to Malaysia marks a significant turning point in their strategic security and bilateral relations.

This visit, along with Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan’s recent visit, highlights Malaysia’s growing importance in the regional security architecture and its efforts to foster cooperation with trusted allies.

The timing of H.E. Rajnath’s visit is strategic, as it comes amidst increasing traditional and non-traditional threats affecting both nations and the region. It reinforces their commitment to the Enhanced Strategic Partnership based on mutual trust, understanding, and shared democratic values and rule of law.

In recent years, India’s significance had been overlooked amid Malaysia’s political instability, resulting in rocky and uncertain ties between the two countries. The visit seeks to establish stability and opportunities for strong and productive defense partnerships, regaining the urgency in security cooperation and geopolitical importance for both nations.

For Malaysia, India plays a crucial role in its Act East Policy, being strategically positioned within India’s counter-balancing strategy against China. India’s strategic dominance in the Andaman Sea and Nicobar Island chain further enhances its maritime security, upholding international maritime law, and safeguarding against potential unilateral violations of rules and stability.

To achieve this, India seeks an integrated and collective defense partnership that complements its regional security framework. Greater defense collaborations with India, including exploring new technologies and downstream industries, will enhance Malaysia’s self-reliance and security with a trusted defense partner.

Furthermore, relying on Malaysia for defense support will provide India with strategic maneuvering room during conflicts. Joint interoperability and cooperation to address non-traditional maritime and transboundary threats will enhance mutual readiness and trust between the two nations.

In this context, Malaysia’s efforts to seek counterbalancing forces against China point to India and Japan as crucial players. The recent decision by Malaysia to opt for South Korea’s FA-50 jets over India’s Tejas fighter planes does not hinder future defense ties, as both nations realize the importance of a strong security alliance and partnership.

India’s naval strength, exemplified by a recent dual aircraft carrier exercise, demonstrates its capability to project power in the Indian Ocean and beyond, rivaling China’s maritime prowess. India’s naval expansion and modernization are a strategic response to China’s actions in the region, including its encirclement strategies targeting neighboring countries.

The changing dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region, with China facing economic challenges and other countries seeking alternatives, present an opportune moment for India to emerge as a major economic and security player. India’s favorable demographics, innovation, and technology make it a potential second-largest economy by 2075, according to projections.

As India rises, Malaysia recognizes the importance of complementing India’s Act East Policy, fostering mutual benefits for both nations. India’s role as a stable, trustworthy partner in the region reinforces the need for greater defense and security ties between the two countries, ensuring long-term stability and promoting a free, open, and rules-based regional order.

In conclusion, Malaysia and India must strategically elevate their defense and security ties to capitalize on India’s growing regional and global leadership, cementing a partnership based on values, trust, and proven expectations for both nations’ long-term assurance and regional stability.