Malaysia, India keen to promote Ayurveda

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and India are keen to promote greater cooperation in traditional medicine ayurveda and expand the development and usage of ayurveda, one of the world's oldest holistic healthcare systems, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
Speaking at a joint conference with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi after their bilateral talks here today, Najib said Modi was keen to expand traditional medicine in the field of ayurveda.
"We will look into expanding the development and usage of the traditional medicine," Najib said.
Modi, who is here for a maiden official visit after assuming his post in 2014, arrived in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to attend the 27th Asean Summit and Related Summits.
Modi said he was very pleased with India-Malaysia's excellent and growing cooperation in traditional medicine including ayurveda and siddha.
According to the World Health Organisation, 65% of India's rural population uses ayurvedic remedies, mostly due to poor access to modern health facilities.
Today, the global market of ayurvedic medicines or traditional medicines is estimated at about US$100 billion (RM431 billion).
Najib said the Malaysian government will take necessary actions to recognise more degree programmes from India especially in Information Technology (IT) and engineering.
He said Modi had called for Malaysia to look at recognising more Indian degrees especially in the field of IT and engineering.
Najib also pointed out that many Malaysians had received their education in India particularly in medicine.
As he took stock of the call, Najib said the Malaysian government would ask the Higher Education Minister as well as Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) to discuss with the relevant authorities in India.
On terrorism, Najib said Malaysia and India shared a common position in combating extremism and terrorism.
"We expect to counter terrorism and to work closely together to defeat violent extremism and terrorism," he said.
Meanwhile, Modi said he was grateful for the security cooperation with Malaysia as it underlined shared commitment to deal with security challenges.
Najib and Modi jointly inaugurated the Torana Gate in "Little India", Brickfields here to symbolise friendship between both countries.
Torana Gate is a gift from the Indian Government to the people of Malaysia as a mark of continued friendship between both countries and it was announced by Modi's predecessor, Dr Manmohan Singh, during his official visit to Malaysia in October 2010.