Malaysia Minding its own business, Ties With India Improving
Both sides are strengthening commercial ties, with trade deficit reducing from $4.3 bn to $3.4 bn in 2019-20 compared to last year
New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur have been cooperating under the current COVID pandemic with India allowing the export of HCQ and paracetamol to Malaysia.
Under the new Malaysian govt led by PM Muhyiddin Yassin, both sides have been engaging with each other. India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar spoke to new Malaysian foreign minister Hishammuddin Hussein immediately after new govt took charge in Kuala Lumpur.
Indian high commissioner to Malaysia Mridul Kumar has also met Malaysian foreign minister Hishammuddin many times. In fact, Indian high commissioner was the first envoy received by the Malaysian foreign minister on March 18, the day he took charge.
Both sides are strengthening commercial ties, with trade deficit reducing from $4.3 bn to $3.4 bn in 2019-20 compared to last year.
Increased rice and sugar, high-speed diesel import has taken place. Under India’s mega repatriation plan the Vande Bharat mission–Vande Bharat Mission, 42 flights have taken from Malaysia bringing back 7000 Indian from Mid March till now.
In a departure from past Malaysia has refrained from making any comments on Kashmir even as China and Turkey are blatantly continuing with anti-India policy made remarks on the first anniversary of the removal of special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Under the leadership of former Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir bin Mohamad, Kaula Lumpur had taken an anti-India stance, making remarks on Kashmir. Malaysia under Mahathir was among the 3 countries–Other two being Turkey and China to raise Kashmir at UNGA meet last year.
