KUALA LUMPUR: The country's Indian community stands to progress further if it forges a closer partnership with the Government said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday.

"If we forge closer partnership between the Government and Indian community, more can be achieved," he said in his speech when officiating the Thaipusam celebration at Batu Caves.

He noted that the partnership must be based on mutual trust as expounded in the virtues of the Indian word 'nambikei'.

Najid also announced the allocation of RM2mil for the setting of a Indian cultural centre at Batu Caves.

Present at the celebrations were MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, former party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and Barisan Nasional component leaders.