Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, on a state visit to India, said on Tuesday that India had to grapple with "some serious issues" affecting minorities or religious sentiments. He expressed hope that New Delhi would continue to play its rightful role in dealing with the issues faced by minorities.
"I will not deny the fact that you also have to grapple with some serious issues affecting minorities or religious sentiments. 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," he said at an event in Delhi.
Ibrahim's remarks come at a time when India-Malaysia bilateral ties are slowly coming back on track after former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed criticised India over its move to scrap Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir that granted special status and the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act. New Delhi lodged strong protests and imposed restrictions on Malaysian oil imports.
Zakir Naik, a controversial Islamic preacher, who fled India in 2016, however, continues to be a major irritant in bilateral ties. He is currently in Malaysia after getting asylum there in 2018. Naik is wanted in India for serious charges related to terrorism after his name cropped in connection with a ghastly terror attack at Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka in July 2016.
During his address, Ibrahim indicated that his government may consider India's request to extradite Naik if New Delhi provided evidence against him.
He also said that the issue was not raised by the Indian side during his talks with PM Modi and asserted that it should not deter the two countries from enhancing bilateral relations.
"Firstly, it was not raised by the (Indian side). PM (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.
The Malaysian leader said his government is "open to any ideas and evidence submitted" against Naik.
"We will not condone terrorism. We have been tough and we have been working together with India on many of these issues, against terrorism. But I don't think this one case should deter us from further collaboration and enhancing our bilateral cooperation," he said.
Ibrahim highlighted the contribution of historical Indian figures and said India is considered a beacon of hope and democracy in the region. He also recalled having a session with late former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
"India to me remains an enigma. I have been here umpteen times as a student leader and I had the occasion even as a young student leader to have a session with Indira Gandhi, nine youth leaders from Asia confronting her with a number of issues and observe her candour and motherly attitude to deal with some very pernicious questions raised by young leaders on the issue of corruption or issue of racism and the issue of religious bigotry," he said.
"This is the country that produces Sri Aurobindo, an outstanding intellect, and leaders like Gandhi ji, who, of course, is unique in his battle for freedom, justice, for humanity. You have intellectual giants who became leaders in their own countries; Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. India has produced great sages and leaders and is considered by many of us a beacon of hope and democracy in the region," he added.
Ibrahim began his three-day visit to India on Monday on his first trip to the country after becoming the Prime Minister in 2022.
