Sultan Ibrahim aims to strengthen Malaysia-Tatarstan ties in Kazan visit
During an audience with Tatarstan's Rais Rustam Minnikhanov at the Kazan Kremlin Presidential Palace, Sultan Ibrahim praised the deepening ties in economic, institutional, and cultural sectors.
'We hold your leadership in the Strategic Vision Group 'Russia-Islamic World' in the highest regard,' said His Majesty.
He emphasised the potential for expanded cooperation in petrochemicals, innovation, Islamic finance, and the halal industry.
'I also take pleasure in witnessing the expansion of academic exchanges between our institutions of higher learning,' Sultan Ibrahim added.
The King highlighted strong partnerships between Malaysian and Russian universities, including joint research in engineering, energy, and computer science.
'I commend the ongoing collaboration between Kazan Federal University and Kazan National Research Technological University with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia,' he said.
His Majesty welcomed discussions on resuming direct flights between Russia and Malaysia to boost tourism and commerce.
'I hope to see more students and tourists from Tatarstan choosing Malaysia as their preferred destination,' Sultan Ibrahim remarked.
He also expressed delight in reconnecting with Minnikhanov at the historic Kazan Kremlin.
'Rakh-mat – your generosity and warmth will long be remembered,' the King said.
Before the meeting, Minnikhanov warmly welcomed Sultan Ibrahim at the Kazan Kremlin, followed by a photo session overlooking the Volga River.
A reception was later hosted by Minnikhanov in honour of His Majesty at the palace's Banquet Hall.
Kazan, Tatarstan's capital, is renowned for its cultural diversity and Muslim-majority population.
Sultan Ibrahim arrived in Kazan as part of his state visit to Russia at President Vladimir Putin's invitation. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Trump-backed peace push leaves Azerbaijan and Armenia one step from final accord, top diplomat says
U.S. President Donald Trump, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, and Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan pose with their documents during a trilateral signing event at the White House, in Washington, D.C., August 8, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo (Reuters) -A peace push backed by U.S. President Donald Trump leaves Azerbaijan and Armenia just one step from a final peace deal and is a paradigm shift in the strategically important South Caucasus region, a top Azerbaijani diplomat said on Saturday. Trump welcomed Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the White House on Friday and witnessed their signing of a joint declaration aimed at drawing a line under their decades-long on-off conflict. Russia, a traditional broker and ally of Armenia in the strategically important South Caucasus region which is crisscrossed with oil and gas pipelines, was not included despite its border guards being stationed on the border between Armenia and Iran. While Moscow said it supported the summit, it proposed "implementing solutions developed by the countries of the region themselves with the support of their immediate neighbours – Russia, Iran and Turkey" to avoid what it called the "sad experience" of Western efforts to mediate in the Middle East. Azerbaijan's close ally, NATO member Turkey, welcomed the accord. Russia-ally Iran also welcomed the agreement but warned against any foreign intervention near its borders. Baku and Yerevan have been at odds since the late 1980s when Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous Azerbaijani region mostly populated by ethnic Armenians, broke away from Azerbaijan with support from Armenia. Azerbaijan took back full control of the region in 2023, prompting almost all of the territory's 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee to Armenia. "The chapter of enmity is closed and now we're moving towards lasting peace," said Elin Suleymanov, Azerbaijan's ambassador to Britain, predicting that the wider region's prosperity and transport links would be transformed for the better. "This is a paradigm shift," said Suleymanov, who as a former envoy to Washington who used to work in President Aliyev's office, is one of his country's most senior diplomats. Suleymanov declined to speculate on when a final peace deal would be signed however, noting that Aliyev had said he wanted it to happen soon. There remained only one obstacle, said Suleymanov, which was for Armenia to amend its constitution to remove a reference to Nagorno-Karabakh. "Azerbaijan is ready to sign any time once Armenia fulfils the very basic commitment of removing its territorial claim against Azerbaijan in its consitution," he said. MANY QUESTIONS UNANSWERED Pashinyan this year called for a referendum to change the constitution, but no date for it has been set yet. Armenia is to hold parliamentary elections in June 2026, and the new constitution is expected to be drafted before the vote. The Armenian leader said on X that the Washington summit would pave the way to end the decades of conflict and to open up transport connections in the region that he said would unlock strategic economic opportunities. Friday's agreement saw Armenia hand exclusive U.S. development rights to a strategic transit corridor through the South Caucasus that the White House said would facilitate greater exports of energy and other resources. The proposed Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) which would run across southern Armenia, would give Azerbaijan a direct route to its exclave of Nackchivan and in turn to Turkey. Asked when the transit rail route would start running, Suleymanov said that would depend on cooperation between the U.S. and Armenia whom he said were already in talks. Joshua Kucera, Senior South Caucasus analyst at International Crisis Group, said the Washington summit was not the easy win that Trump may have hoped for as the agreements left many questions unanswered. The issue of Armenia's constitution continued to threaten to derail the process, and key questions about how the new transport corridor would work in practice had not been addressed. "Key details are missing, including about how customs checks and security will work and the nature of Armenia's reciprocal access to Azerbaijani territory. These could be serious stumbling blocks," said Kucera. Control of the corridor, which will be operated under Armenian law, is a sensitive issue, with Azerbaijan wary of Armenian law. Suleymanov played down suggestions that Russia, which still has extensive security and economic interests in Armenia, was being disadvantaged. "Anybody and everybody can benefit from this if they choose to," he said. (Reporting by Andrew OsbornEditing by Philippa Fletcher)
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Beyond disputes: Turning Ambalat and Pedra Branca into platforms for maritime cooperation
THE maritime disputes over Ambalat and Batu Puteh are complex. Ambalat, located in the resource-rich Sulawesi Sea, is claimed by Malaysia and Indonesia since the early 2000s. The area is believed to contain significant hydrocarbon reserves, and both countries have issued oil exploration licences that have led to diplomatic protests and naval stand-offs. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently emphasised the role of Sabah — which is the Malaysian state closest to the area — in ensuring that any joint development has equitable outcomes for border communities. Meanwhile, the dispute over Batu Puteh was partially resolved in 2008 when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded sovereignty over it to Singapore. In the same judgment, the ICJ ruled that Middle Rocks belonged to Malaysia, while sovereignty over South Ledge would rest with the state in whose territorial waters it is located. As the ICJ did not delimit maritime boundaries, South Ledge's status is unresolved. In recent years, bilateral efforts have intensified to resolve outstanding maritime issues. At the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat in January, both governments agreed to begin technical work to delimit maritime boundaries in the Johor Strait, using the 1927 Territorial Waters Agreement as a legal basis. Singapore's continued engagement through the Joint Technical Committee reflects its commitment to resolve maritime issues through dialogue and legal frameworks. These disputes reflect deeper questions of sovereignty, historical memory and control over vital sea lanes. But they also present an opportunity to transform contested maritime zones into shared spaces of cooperation. Malaysia and Indonesia should consider establishing a joint development authority (JDA) to manage resources and reduce tensions over Ambalat. Similarly, Malaysia and Singapore could explore cooperative arrangements around Middle Rocks and South Ledge, focusing on maritime safety, environmental stewardship and scientific research. Such frameworks — already proven in the Malaysia-Thailand JDA in the Gulf of Thailand — would allow all parties to benefit economically while preserving their legal positions. Importantly, joint development does not require any party to relinquish its claims. Under Article 83 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea , states are encouraged to reach provisional arrangements pending final delimitation. Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have played pivotal roles in Asean's evolution and have consistently advocated for peaceful dispute resolution and regional stability. Their cooperation on Ambalat and Batu Puteh could serve as a model for other maritime disputes in Southeast Asia, including in the South China Sea. A coordinated initiative involving Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore — each addressing their respective maritime disputes — could serve as a model for broader governance reforms within Asean, strengthening its commitment to pragmatic diplomacy and peaceful resolution. Public discourse in all three countries must focus on collaboration. Parliamentarians, diplomats and civil society leaders should advocate for open dialogue, confidence-building measures and creative legal solutions. The media should frame these disputes as opportunities for partnership. Ambalat and Batu Puteh should be reimagined as foundations for a shared maritime future — where sovereignty concerns are balanced with economic pragmatism and regional solidarity. The establishment of JDAs would not only unlock resource potential but also signal that Southeast Asia is capable of resolving disputes through diplomacy and innovation. During the recent Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Consultation, President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to resolving the Ambalat dispute through peaceful means. Both leaders agreed to explore joint development initiatives as they recognise that legal processes may take years. This bilateral momentum reflects a pragmatic approach to diplomacy. On the Batu Puteh front, Singapore has likewise shown its willingness to cooperate. These parallel bilateral engagements — Malaysia with Indonesia over Ambalat, and Malaysia with Singapore over Batu Puteh — signal a commitment to regional stability, peaceful dispute resolution and collaborative maritime governance.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Sultan Ibrahim visits Kazan helicopter plant
KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, visited the Kazan Helicopter Plant (KHP) as part of his official visit to Russia. The king was accompanied by Rustam Minnikhanov, the head of the Republic of Tatarstan, during the visit. Upon arrival, Sultan Ibrahim and Minnikhanov were welcomed by KHP director-general Nikolay Yakovlev, according to a statement on the King's official Facebook page. Sultan Ibrahim was briefed on the manufacturing process and the latest technologies used in producing multi-purpose helicopters for commercial, military and search-and-rescue operations. The King also toured the facility to observe assembly operations and quality testing procedures. The Kazan Helicopter Plant is one of the world's largest helicopter manufacturers. Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan, which is one of Russia's most prominent autonomous republics and is known for its cultural diversity and Muslim-majority population. Sultan Ibrahim arrived in Kazan on Friday morning for the second part of his state visit to Russia at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin. Previously, the King said he was pleased with the growing cooperation between the peoples of Malaysia and Tatarstan in economic, institutional and cultural sectors.
