PM Modi Meets INA Veteran Jeyaraj Raja Rao During Malaysia Visit - See Photo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) veteran Jeyaraj Raja Rao in Kuala Lumpur and conveyed the gratitude of all Indians for INA’s extraordinary courage, legacy, and sacrifice. In September 1943, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, in a rousing address to thousands of followers, had inspired several youths to join the cause of Indian independence, from Selangor Padang (Dataran Merdeka or Independence Square) in Kuala Lumpur. Prime Minister Modi is in Kuala Lumpur on a two-day visit to Malaysia, during which the two sides unveiledseveral initiatives to further shore up cooperation in areas of defence and security, semiconductor and trade.PM Modi said it was "very special" to meet INA veteran Rao. “We remain

forever indebted to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the brave women and men of the INA, whose valour helped shape India’s destiny,” PM Modi said in a post on social media after the meeting. "His life is marked by immense courage and sacrifice. Listening to his experiences was very inspiring," he said.Prime Minister Modi "conveyed the gratitude of all Indians for INA’s extraordinary courage, legacy, and sacrifice," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. Netaji's birth anniversary is officially celebrated as ‘Parakram Diwas’ on January 23 every year.

PM Modi also met Malaysia’s Indian-origin Ministers, Members of Parliament and Senators in Kuala Lumpur and appreciated their active role in strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries. “Had a wonderful interaction with PIO leaders, including distinguished Ministers and Senators. Their deep emotional connect to India was clearly visible,” PM Modi posted on social media after the meeting. PM Modi said the accomplishments of PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin) “in public life are a matter of immense pride for everyone.”Also Read - 'No Double Standards, No Compromise': PM Modi Affirms India's Stance On Terrorism In Malaysia - A Message For Zakir Naik?

PM Modi's Malaysia Visit - Top Highlights

PM Modi held wide-ranging talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday and reiterated India's position on combating terrorism as he said: "Our message on terrorism is clear; no double standards, no compromise." The two sides inked a total of 11 agreements and documents to expand cooperation in a range of key areas, including a framework pact for deeper engagement in the semiconductor sector.

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The two countries vowed to expand their ties in the high-priority sectors of trade and investment, defence, energy, advanced manufacturing and semiconductors. Both Modi, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, and Ibrahim appreciated efforts to promote the usage of local currencies -- the Indian Rupee and Malaysian Ringgit -- for trade settlement. Modi also announced India's decision to establish an Indian Consulate General in Malaysia.In his remarks, Ibrahim noted India's economic growth and said his country would benefit immensely if it could secure more ways and opportunities to collaborate with New Delhi.Elaborating on engagement in the security domain, Modi said cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, and maritime security will be strengthened, adding that both sides will further expand defence ties.