CHENNAI READY TO INK SISTER-TREATY WITH KL

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- The Chennai Corporation has given its approval
to sign a proposed pact to twin the south Indian city and Kuala Lumpur to ramp
up closer rapport between two cities with historical ties.

Chennai Mayor M. Subramaniam said the city council had given the nod for the
proposal and was waiting for India's external affairs ministry to give the
final consent to move the idea forward.

"We are looking positively for the proposal to be approved as soon as
possible. Certainly, the twining would bring tremendous advantages for both
cities.

"Kuala Lumpur and Chennai could then work to further develop in areas like
education and cultural activities, and seek mutual assistance in other areas of
interest to both cities," he told Bernama Thursday.

Last December, ahead of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's January
visit to India, Malaysian authorities had initiated a proposal to twin Chennai
and Kuala Lumpur as sister cities to broaden ties.

The idea was said to have been well-received by the Cabinet.

Chennai has already established sisterly relations with five other cities --
Cairo (Egypt), Denver and San Antonio (United States), Frankfurt (Germany) and
Volgograd (Russia).

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, with over 70 million people, is a major
gateway to Malaysia and other Southeast Asian capitals.

Najib made a historical visit to the city, after a state visit to Delhi --
the first Malaysian premier to officially visit Chennai.
-- BERNAMA