Indian PM Visit to Malaysia | The AYUSH Sector in India | Eritrea

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Context

India and Malaysia vowed to expand their ties in the high-priority sectors of trade and investment, defence, energy, advanced manufacturing and semiconductors.

Major outcomes of the meet

A Framework Agreement on the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) was also finalised, reflecting shared commitment to biodiversity and sustainable development.
Both sides also received the report of the 10th Malaysia-India CEO Forum, highlighting private sector perspectives on trade, investment and future collaboration.

Additional Information – India and Malaysia Relations

Diplomatic Relations: The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1957, and this was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2024.
Both countries are members of various international organizations, such as the United Nations, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Trade and Economic Relations: Malaysia is the 13th largest trading partner for India while India stands amongst the 10 largest trading partners globally.
Defense and Security: Harimau Shakti is the primary bilateral training exercise between the Indian Army and the Malaysian Army.
ASEAN Centrality: Malaysia holds a crucial position in expanding India’s trade with ASEAN, aligning with India’s Act East Policy, advancing maritime connectivity in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea, and supporting ASEAN’s Indo-Pacific Perspective (AOIP) and the Indo-Pacific Initiative (IPOI).
Tourism and diaspora: India is the 5th largest source country for inbound tourism to Malaysia.
Indian Community: Malaysia has the third largest Indian diaspora in the world (2.9 million).
Cultural Ties: Indian influence in Malaysia can be seen in various aspects of Malaysian culture, including language, religion (Hinduism and Buddhism), architecture, cuisine, and festivals.

Governance

In News

India’s new free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union opened the door for Indian doctors and products to enter the European market more easily.

AYUSH Sector in India

AYUSH encompasses traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.

Key Initiatives

National AYUSH Mission (NAM): Core policy instrument to integrate AYUSH into public healthcare through:
Institutes of National Importance: All India Institute of Ayurveda (New Delhi), National Institute of Homoeopathy (Kolkata) & Dedicated national institutes for Siddha, Unani, Yoga, and Naturopathy.
Regulatory and Research Bodies: Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), National Commission for Indian System of Medicine & National Commission for Homoeopathy.
Medicinal Plant Promotion: National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) working with 32 State Boards to support quality cultivation, value chains, and exports.
Flagship Schemes: AYURGYAN (Education and capacity building), Ayurswasthya Yojana (Community health and preventive care using AYUSH systems).

Syllabus: GS1/ Places in News

In News

Recently, Ethiopia demanded that Eritrea immediately withdraw its troops from Ethiopian territory, highlighting renewed tensions in the Horn of Africa.

Eritrea

Capital: Asmara (Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Location: Situated in the Horn of Africa (Northeast Africa). Lies along a crucial geostrategic corridor connecting Africa with West Asia.
Strategic Importance: Controls the western coast of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital global maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Geographical Features: Hot desert climate along the Red Sea coast. Temperate / Mediterranean-like climate in the central highlands.
Membership in International Groupings: African Union (AU) & COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa).

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