Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim urges India to address minority issues, hopes for stronger bilateral ties
New Delhi: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during his state visit to India, expressed his concerns regarding the challenges faced by minorities in the country, urging India to address these issues effectively. Speaking at an event hosted by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in Delhi on Tuesday, Ibrahim acknowledged that India is grappling with "some serious issues" concerning minorities and religious sentiments. He expressed hope that India would continue to play its "rightful" role in addressing these matters.
Ibrahim's remarks come amid improving India-Malaysia relations, which had previously been strained following criticism from former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed over India's internal policies, including the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act.
During his address, Ibrahim also touched upon the contentious issue of Zakir Naik, a fugitive Islamic preacher currently residing in Malaysia. While noting that the issue was not raised during his discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ibrahim indicated that Malaysia might consider India's request for Naik's extradition if credible evidence is provided. He emphasized that this issue should not hinder the further enhancement of bilateral ties between the two nations.
Praising India's rich historical and democratic values, Ibrahim highlighted the contributions of Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and others who have been instrumental in shaping the country's identity as a beacon of hope and democracy in the region.
Ibrahim's three-day visit to India marks his first since taking office in 2022. During a joint press conference on Tuesday, PM Modi announced that the India-Malaysia partnership had been elevated to a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,' with a focus on expanding economic cooperation in areas such as semiconductors, financial technology, defense, and artificial intelligence.
In a significant move, India also agreed to make a one-time export of 200,000 metric tons of non-basmati rice to Malaysia, despite a ban on such shipments, reflecting the deepening ties between the two countries.
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US–Iran first round direct talks conclude in Islamabad: Report
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The first round of direct talks between the United States and Iran, held in Islamabad, has concluded, Al Jazeera reported citing sources close to the development.
According to the report, following the discussions, delegations from both sides agreed to exchange written documents, a move aimed at ensuring clarity and consensus on the understandings reached during the meeting.
Both the Iranian and US delegations arrived in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, amid high security for the peace talks.
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