Malaysia, India should resolve differences 'amicably', says Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia should resolve its differences with India "amicably" as it is important for the country's economy, top Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim has said, amidst strained diplomatic and trade relations between the two nations over Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's controversial statement on Kashmir.

Raising the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly last month, Mohamad alleged that India has invaded and occupied Jammu and Kashmir and asked New Delhi to work with Pakistan to resolve the issue, drawing strong reaction from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Criticising Mahathir's remarks, an Indian trade body on Monday asked its members to boycott Malaysian palm oil.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Malaysian parliamentarian and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leader Ibrahim said, "He (Mahathir) was probably presenting the sentiments of some in the country, but we have to find a way to solve this amicably because it's important for our economy."
Speaking to reporters during a press conference in Parliament, the 94-year-old leader said, "We felt that the people of Kashmir had benefited from the resolution of the United Nations, and all we are saying is that we should all abide, not just India and Pakistan, but even the United States of America and other countries. We speak out our minds and we don't retract and change."
Defending the premier, Malaysia's Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Raja Kamarul Bahrin on Wednesday said, "I don't think he was wrong in trying to stand up for the weak, as we did for Yemen, which should not be attacked by the superpowers."
"The economy", Bahrin said, "is not everything...It is important to find a balance between economic concerns and standing up for what is right."