AUGUST 19, 2024  – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a significant meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. During the meeting, PM Modi sought the extradition of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who fled to Malaysia in 2017 and has since been under scrutiny by Malaysian authorities.

 Zakir Naik, who has been granted permanent residency in Malaysia, recently made headlines for his inflammatory racial comments, prompting Malaysia's Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to assert that no one is above the law, much less a permanent resident. Naik is currently facing an inquiry by the Malaysian government, which has restricted his public activities and monitored his movements closely.

In addition to the extradition request, PM Modi provided a detailed explanation to Prime Minister Mohamad regarding the Indian government's decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Modi emphasized that the reorganization of the state was intended to improve governance and deliver social justice to its people. The discussion also touched on the ongoing terrorism issues originating from Pakistan, with the Malaysian leader firmly condemning terrorism in all its forms.

Despite Pakistan’s efforts to rally support following India's move in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has taken a cautious approach. While he has advocated for the rights of Muslims globally, Mahathir’s response to the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has been measured. During a phone call with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, Mahathir expressed hope that both India and Pakistan would exercise restraint to avoid escalating tensions further, which could threaten regional peace and stability.

The meeting between PM Modi and PM Mahathir underscores the diplomatic efforts underway to address key regional concerns while reinforcing international commitments against terrorism.