This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on November 24, 2015.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday officially launched the Torana Gate in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.

“The Torana Gate marks another high point in the long-standing history of good relations between Malaysia and India.

“It signals closer cooperation and a new dimension to people-to-people engagement between the two countries,” Najib said.

Najib said the gate will also be a new landmark in Kuala Lumpur.

“I highly appreciate the great care that had been taken by experts from both countries in ensuring the successful construction of the gate, whose detailed craftsmanship and magnificent architecture will surely make it a new landmark in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

Najib said the gate is a window to the rich culture and history of India.

“India has shown to the rest of the world that a country need not compromise its moral values and social traditions in the pursuit of greater economic growth and social cohesion.

“We hope to achieve the same on our path to modernity and economic development,” he said.

Modi lauded Najib for his “farsightedness” in building up the relationship between Malaysia and India.

“The gate shows that the ties between India and Malaysia are not just economical, but cultural as well.

“I am sure that the ties between our countries will grow stronger in the years to come, “ he said.

The Torana Gate is a gift from the Indian government to the people of Malaysia as a mark of the continued friendship between the two countries.

The gift was announced by former Indian prime minister Manhoman Singh during his visit to Malaysia in October 2010.

The Indian government bore the full cost of the gate’s construction and installation.

The gate, measuring 10m tall and 7.3m wide, is identical to the Great Stupa at Sanchi, India.

Blocks of sculptured sandstone for the main structure were sent from India to be assembled here. — The Malaysian Insider