REPORTS speak of India launching a unilateral trade war against Malaysia to penalize the country for judicious and principled-based remarks made by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad about Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The Malaysian leader, who is known for his honesty and upright position on different issues, in his speech at the UN General Assembly last month called a spade a spade by pointing out that New Delhi had ‘invaded and occupied’ Kashmir.
The remarks of the Malaysian Prime Minister were not only resented diplomatically but India also embarked upon the path of boycotting Malaysian products, more so the palm oil imports. The propaganda was so intense that social media users posted messages alongside the hashtag #Boycott Malaysia with rumours swirling New Delhi might hike tariffs on Malaysian palm oil. Earlier this week, a major Indian vegetable oil trade body, under pressure of the government, called on its 875 members to avoid buying palm oil from Malaysia, saying that the government was mulling retaliatory measures. Offended Indians are not ready to review their position despite announcements from Kuala Lumpur that the country was looking at increasing imports of sugar and buffalo meat from India. All this shows how India was using the economic and trade cards to advance its political, diplomatic and strategic interests. Malaysian leader had the courage to speak the truth and is standing by his words despite adverse reaction from India but there are scores of other countries that have kept mum over Indian invasion in Occupied Kashmir and its illegal annexation for fear of retaliation. It depends on the ingenuity of Pakistan Foreign Office and its Missions abroad to counter this strategy of India effectively in close coordination with other friendly countries. At the same time, we also hope that the courageous stand taken by Malaysia at the cost of its economic interests would serve as an emulator for others to speak the truth and force Indian rulers to stop persecution of Kashmiris and engage with Pakistan for peaceful resolution of the conflict. Hats off to Dr Mahathir!
