India on Wednesday proposed a wide-ranging partnership with Malaysia to explore and develop oil and gas fields in Iran, Russia and elsewhere as part of its aim to build an Asian alliance on energy security. Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said he discussed several areas of cooperation with Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is on a five-day visit to boost business and political ties. "I have suggested that Indian and Malaysian companies can go together in the field of hydrocarbons in third countries," Aiyar told reporters. He said Abdullah agreed in principle to the proposals. "But he said he would like to study it in greater detail and after due consideration will let us know their reaction," Aiyar said. He said India will export 8 percent to 10 percent more crude oil from Malaysia next year. It currently buys about 2.28 million tons of Malaysian crude. Abdullah, who arrived in India on Sunday on a five-day visit, is accompanied by several ministers, senior officials and a large Malaysian business delegation.
