NEW DELHI, August 21 - The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today held a round table discussion with 40 industry leaders from various sectors in India.

The discussion is to create cooperation from the aspect of business and investment involving both parties.

Also present during the meeting were the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Human Resources, Steven Sim and the Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh as well as the Malaysian delegation.

For the third day of the Prime Minister's visit to India, Anwar also held a bilateral meeting with representatives of prominent Indian companies in an effort to increase investment in the country.

The companies are automotive company Tata Consultancy Services, biodiesel company, Emami Agrotech Limited and global technology company HCLTech.

Tata Consultancy Services was represented by the President of India Business and Strategic Accounts, Ujawal Mathur while Emami Agrotech Limited was represented by the Executive Director, Manish Goenka and HCLTech was represented by the Managing Director, C.Vijayakumar.

The total trade between Malaysia and India in 2023 has reached US$16.53 billion with a trade surplus of US$3.43 billion dollars.

India is Malaysia's main importer of palm oil while Malaysia imports petroleum products, agriculture including halal meat.