On 16 January 2025, H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, together with ASEAN ambassadors in Malaysia, was invited to the opening ceremony of the Mini Defence Expo cum Defence Industry Symposium, co-organized by the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur and the Ministry of Defence of Malaysia, at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, Kuala Lumpur. On this occasion, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Bin Nordin, Minister of Defence delivered the opening speech following the welcoming address by H.E. B.N. Reddy, High Commissioner of India. Shri Rajeev Prakash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence of India, Dr. Mohd Bakhari bin Ismail, Deputy Secretary General (Development), Ministry of Defence of Malaysia, Mr. Mohd Yani bin Daud, Deputy Secretary General (Policy) Ministry of Defence of Malaysia, were also present at the event along with more than 180 defence industry representatives.

 

This event, organized under the theme “Strengthening India – Malaysia Defence Industrial Collaboration in the ASEAN Context,” serves as a pilot event leading up to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace 2025 (LIMA 2025), which Malaysia will host on 20 - 24 May 2025 in Langkawi, as well as promoting cooperation in defense industry, research and development, and supporting Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2025.

 

During a brief meeting with Malaysia’s Minister of Defence, after the opening ceremony, the Ambassador reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to host the 56th Thailand-Malaysia General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on 26 – 31 January 2025 in Bangkok.