Anwar's Kashmir faux pas
LETTER | The Malaysian Indian People Party (MIPP) considers it our duty to point out the diplomatic implications of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's reference to 'Indian Administered Kashmir' in his recent statement on the Pahalgam, Kashmir, India terror attack.
This terminology is not a mere formality - it carries political weight. By using a phrase aligned with Pakistan's position, the prime minister's statement undermines India's sovereignty and turns a message of solidarity into one of ambiguity and provocation.
It would have been far better if the prime minister had not issued the statement at all, instead of stating a contested Pakistani position in a statement supposed to assuage India's emotions after the attack.
There is a clear double standard in how Malaysia handles diplomatic sensitivities. We are hyper-cautious and deferential with China, never daring to refer to Taiwan as 'independent.' Yet with India, a major strategic, economic, and cultural partner, this same respect is casually discarded.
A nation's foreign policy should never be overtly influenced by the personal worldview of its leader. Leaders come and go, but the long-term interests of the nation must remain the prevailing motivation.
In this context, India is still a vital economic partner, currently purchasing significant quantities of our palm oil and playing a crucial role in our trade and diplomatic landscape. Why jeopardise such an important relationship? The nation's interest must always come first.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
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