India Has To Grapple With Some 'Serious Issues' Concerning Minorities: Malaysian PM

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim raised concerns about minority issues and religious sentiments in India and hoped that the country continues to play its rightful role.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday that India has to grapple with some "serious issues' concerning minorities and religious sentiments and hoped that New Delhi will continue to play its rightful role. 

The Malaysian PM, who is on a state visit to India, made the statement during an interactive session at the ICWA in Delhi. 

"I will not deny the fact that you also have to grapple with some serious issues affecting minorities or religious sentiments," he said, reported Economic Times. 

He further said: "But our hope is that India continues to play its rightful role because I mentioned to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, that these were the years when Nehru and Zhou Enlai and Sukarno and Nyerere were there standing up for the Global South against colonialism and imperialism and to struggle to ensure that we recognise what humanity is about, what freedom is all about, and what dignity of men and women." 

PM Ibrahim, who met with PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday, praised India noting its remarkable intellectual and historical figures. 

"India has produced outstanding intellects such as Sri Aurobindo and leaders like Gandhi Ji, who played a unique role in the struggle for freedom, justice, and humanity," he said.

The ties between India and Malaysia had plunged after former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamed criticised India for its move to strike down Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act. 

India had lodged its strong protest and imposed restrictions on Malaysian oil imports. 

The Malaysian PM also spoke about Islamic preacher Zakir Naik who is wanted by the Indian authorities for alleged money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speeches. Naik had left the country in 2016 and was granted permanent residency in Malaysia by the previous government led by Mahathir Mohamed.

Ibrahim said that the issue was not raised by PM Modi during the meeting.  

Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) did raise it much earlier, some years back...But the issue is I am not talking about one person, I am talking about the sentiment of extremism, of a compelling case and evidence that suggest the atrocities committed by an individual or group or faction or parties," Ibrahim said.

He said his government is "open to any ideas and evidence submitted".