Boosting India-Malaysia semiconductor ties, Minister Jitin Prasada meets Liew Chin Tong, discussing advanced tech and trilateral partnerships and strengthening bilateral trade.
On Tuesday, Jitin Prasada, the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology, met Mr Liew Chin Tong, the Malaysian Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi.
A key topic of discussion was the growing potential for collaboration in the semiconductor sector. Both nations agreed on the importance of advancing their cooperation, recognising the strategic importance of this industry.
In an interview with WION post the meeting, Tong highlighted that this move aligns with Malaysia’s National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS). With its well-established semiconductor sector featuring major global companies such as Intel, Infineon, and Broadcom, the country has been moving up the value chain, focusing on integrated circuit design and advanced packaging.
India has also been investing heavily in its semiconductor industry, with initiatives like the $10 billion India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), designed to boost domestic manufacturing and attract foreign investment.
Tong highlighted the potential for trilateral partnerships between Malaysian, Indian, and foreign companies, encouraging deeper collaboration within the semiconductor ecosystem.
The meeting also covered a range of bilateral trade issues, including market access and the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The two sides expressed optimism that these discussions would pave the way for resolving trade challenges and enhancing overall trade relations, particularly in high-tech industries.
Malaysia remains India’s third-largest trading partner in ASEAN, with total trade valued at USD$20.02 billion in 2023-24.
The discussions were attended by senior officials from both countries, including diplomats and representatives from Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry, as well as India’s Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
