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HomeDiplomacy'We speak our minds, don't retract & change': Malaysian PM stands by...

‘We speak our minds, don’t retract & change’: Malaysian PM stands by remark on Kashmir

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had raised the Kashmir issue at the UNGA last month and saying India had invaded and occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

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Kuala Lumpur: A defiant Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday said he stands by his remarks on Kashmir, asserting that he speaks his mind and does not retract and change, days after India expressed regret over his statement.

Raising the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly last month, Mahathir alleged that India has invaded and occupied Jammu and Kashmir and asked New Delhi to work with Pakistan to resolve the issue, drawing strong reaction from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Speaking to reporters during a press conference in Parliament, he said we felt that the people of Kashmir had benefited from the resolution of the United Nations, and all we are saying is that we should all abide, not just India and Pakistan, but even the United States of America and other countries .


Also read: Modi govt plans to cut imports from Turkey, Malaysia as retaliation for Kashmir position


“We speak out our minds and we don’t retract and change, the Malaysian Prime Minister was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper.

MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar earlier this month said India and Malaysia have traditionally enjoyed good and friendly ties and we deeply regret these comments since they are not based on facts .

Acknowledging the strained diplomatic relations between Malaysia and India over his remarks, Mahathir said that it is necessary to speak out on the issues, even though such remarks could be disliked by some.

“Sometimes, we have to have strained relationships but we want to be friendly with people. Malaysia is a trading nation, we need markets and so, we are nice to people.

“But, also, we have to speak up for people. So, sometimes what we say is liked by some and disliked by others,” he said.


Also read: Pizza dough to lipstick to biodiesel — India needs Malaysia’s palm oil but traders wary now


 

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9 COMMENTS

  1. India needs to develop a thick skin and stop being provoked by every country, which has a different take on Kashmir or any other Indo-Pak issue. Malaysia, Turkey etc. are entitled to their views and policies. India doesn’t need to go out of its way to either please them or show displeasure. Some things are best ignored.

  2. I don’t think any of these countries stood by us when it really mattered. They should have known that Pakistan never fulfilled any conditions sought by the UN resolution. They also should have studied Simla agreement.Their action is only based on the outdated Islamic brotherhood. We have suffered enough with the Nehru’s foolish foreign policy If we cannot kick the canines who bite your heels for what is the purpose of the might of a nation

  3. Malaysia is an important member of ASEAN, a grouping that means a lot to India’s Act East policy. Turkey is a prominent, if promiscuity, member of NATO, also relevant to the EU, although not a member. It may be wise not to let the issue escalate further. Both are OIC members, which has consistent views on Kashmir. Over decades, Indian diplomacy has built up valuable bilateral relationships with a Muslim countries, including KSA and UAE, also Iran and Iraq, despite long standing differences with Pakistan . Care should be taken to ensure that Indian foreign policy does not begin to reflect ideological impulses. An excessively splashy relationship with Israel is also better avoided.

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