Pakistan got itself into an embarrassing diplomatic fiasco after Malaysia ignored its ambassador's request to cancel India's outreach programmes, according to reports. Islamabad even reportedly brought up the religion card and the Kashmir matter to persuade Kuala Lumpur but in vain.
"We are an Islamic country, you are an Islamic country... don't listen to the Indian delegation, cancel all their programmes in Malaysia," said the Pakistani embassy, urging Malaysian officials to cancel the 10 programmes planned by India.
#WATCH | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: India’s High Commissioner to Malaysia BN Reddy, says, " The 9 member all-party delegation (led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha) just concluded its visit to Malaysia...it has been hectic yet very productive...I would like to highlight the significant… pic.twitter.com/LNnXz8PSDh
— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025
However, Kuala Lumpur rejected Islamabad's outrageous request, approving all the 10 programmes organised by the multi-party delegation headed by JDU MP Sanjay Jha.
Why did Malaysia ignore Pakistan's call?
It should be noted that traders from India, which is the biggest buyer of edible oils, boycotted Malaysian palm oil in 2020 over Kuala Lumpur's stance on Kashmir. Following India's move, Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad dialled back on his accusation that New Delhi "invaded and occupied" Kashmir. Mohamad later said his nation is too small to respond to India's boycott with trade retaliation.
VIDEO | All-party delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha arrives at Delhi Airport.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 3, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC)#Delhi pic.twitter.com/hxmTLeEuYu
In this backdrop, the Malaysian government seems to have taken a mature stance on Kashmir this time, choosing not to meddle in the bilateral issues between India and Pakistan.
The Jha-led group is one of the seven Indian diplomatic groups visiting 33 capitals since May 17. They have already visited East Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Indonesia.
Besides Jha, the delegation includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Pradan Baruah, Hemang Joshi, CPI-M MP John Brittas, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, former Union Minister Salman Khurshid and former Indian Ambassador to France Mohan Kumar.
The diplomatic group met representatives of Malaysia's Democratic Action Party headed by Deputy Prime Minister YB Tuan M. Kulasegaran V Murugeson. It also met representatives of People's Justice Party (PKR) led by YB Sim Tze Tzin.
