Modi in Malaysia: Indian Cultural Center in Malay will be named after Netaji

Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Indian Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur will be named after freedom fighter and commander of the Indian National Army Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

He expressed his gratitude towards the Indian community living in Malaysia as he made his by-now trademark address to the Indian diaspora on the second day of his visit to Malaysia.

Thousands of your forefathers came forward to join Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army,

"Independent India owes a debt of gratitude to Malaya-Indians," he said

We will name our cultural center here after Subhas Chandra Bose.

A cultural extravaganza showcasing the best of Indian and Malaysian talent preceded Modi's speech.

The event was organized by the Welcome Partners, comprising Indian expatriates and around 90 cultural and community organizations from across the country.

Of the nearly 30 million population of Malaysia, around two million people are of Indian origin.

Modi, who reached Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, attended the 13th ASEAN-India Summit and the 10th East Asia Summit.

(Inputs from IANS)