The two trading partners began to negotiate the CECA from 2008 and two rounds of talks have been concluded, largely to open up market access.

The idea to create the trade pact was initiated after an India-Malaysia joint study showed there were ample untapped trade opportunities in core areas like investments, goods and services.

"Such an agreement will spur additional bilateral trade and investment as well as creating job, investment and economic opportunities for both countries," Najib said at the Malaysia-India Business Forum themed "Building A Strategic Partnership".

"On our part we will do all that is necessary to fast-track the negotiations," he said.

Malaysia-India's two-way trade currently stands at US$10 billion (RM35 billion) and since 2007 India has emerged as the seventh largest investor in Malaysia with a total investment of US$1.6 billion (RM5.6 billion).

And the cumulative Malaysian investments till 2008 in India were to the tune of US$1.8 billion (RM6.3 billion).

Najib is leading a large Malaysian delegation, comprising senior politicians and corporate leaders, to Delhi and Chennai from Jan 19 to 23.

-- BERNAMA