Modi congratulates new Malaysian PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated new Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad over telephone, an official said.

"Prime Minister Modi conveyed his good wishes for the progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Malaysia," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.

"He stated that the close and mutually beneficial India-Malaysia ties are based on the strong foundation of shared values, interests and vibrant people-to-people relations," it stated.

"The Prime Minister said that he looked forward to working with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to further strengthen India-Malaysia strategic partnership."

Last week, Mahathir, who governed for more than two decades became, at the age of 92, became the world's oldest elected leader.

He came out of retirement and defected to the opposition to take on and beat former protege Najib Razak. His historic win ousted the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which had been in power since independence in 1957.

Malaysia is an important member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) regional bloc with which India has been increasing its engagements under New Delhi's Act East Policy.

The country is also home to around 2.7 million people of Indian origin.

--IANS

ab/nir