KUALA LUMPUR – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed his warm wishes to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, wishing his Malaysian counterpart good health while looking forward to further amity between the people of both nations.
Noting that this would be Anwar’s first observance of Aidilfitri after assuming the leadership of Malaysia in November last year, Modi also wished for peace and harmony around the globe.
According to a press release issued by the Indian High Commission here, Modi said this in a personal letter to Anwar extending warm greetings on behalf of the people and government of India.
“In his personal letter, the prime minister of India conveyed that over the one month, Muslims in India, Malaysia, and across the globe have observed the holy month of Ramadan and spent time in fasting, charity, and prayer.
“Over 200 million Muslims in India also celebrated their faith with compassion, love, and togetherness,” said the release.
“Prime Minister Modi, as we celebrate the holy festival of Aidilfitri, prays for greater harmony, peace, and solidarity among all across the world.
“With the first Aidilfitri after the appointment of Anwar as the tenth prime minister of Malaysia, Prime Minister Modi conveys his best wishes for YAB’s personal good health and well-being, and expresses confidence in the continued friendly relations between India and Malaysia and the people of the two countries.”
According to latest figures, India-Malaysia bilateral trade reached US$19.4 billion (RM85.6 billion) from 2021 to 2022.
The high commission had announced earlier this month that trade transactions between the two countries can now be settled in rupees in addition to other current modes of settlement, stressing that this would benefit trading activities.
This initiative by India’s Central Bank is aimed at facilitating the growth of global trade and supporting the interests of the global trading community in rupees.
“This new mechanism is also aligned with Malaysia’s foreign exchange policies, as part of which Malaysian banks are allowed to undertake the settlement of international trade in any foreign currency, subject to the rules and regulations of Bank Negara Malaysia,” the high commission had said. – The Vibes, April 21, 2023
