Will the Kora epidemic improve relations between India and Malaysia?

New Delhi, April 26, 2020, Sunday

Bilateral relations between India and Malaysia have been strained for eight to ten months. Malaysia's interference in India's internal affairs, such as Article 370 in Kashmir and the NRC, angered India. India has ancient historical ties with Malaysia but fanaticism has been on the rise in the last few years in this Muslim country. Malaysia's shoulder politician and then-Prime Minister Mohammad Matir has been pushing Pakistan's side on the Kashmir issue to appease the fundamentalists at home. Malaysia took an anti-India stance when Pakistan raised the Kashmir issue at the United Nations. After chanting Kashmir raga in support of Pakistan, India stopped buying palm oil and started teaching a lesson. Palm oil is a major source of foreign exchange for Malaysia and India used to import 20 to 25 per cent of palm oil from Malaysia. India knocked on the door of Indonesia for palm oil instead of Malaysia for palm oil.

However, last March, a Malaysian drama experienced political upheaval and the anti-India Prime Minister Mohammad Mater had to resign and be replaced by Mohd Yasin's government. The new government has not commented on India's internal affairs. In addition to PM Mohd, Foreign Minister Hishmuddin Hussain appears to be in favor of improving the bilateral atmosphere between India and Malaysia.

In March, India lifted the 5 per cent import duty on edible oil, which is also seen as an important step towards improving relations. India has decided to export 89,100 hydrochloroquine tablets on April 14 at the request of Malaysia as the Corona virus epidemic continues. This anti-malarial drug Covid-19 is being worked hard. India is the largest producer of Hydrochlocoquine in the world. India banned its exports in March and is currently exporting to 55 countries, including Malaysia.

Overall, India-Malaysia relations have been good in Asia. The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru flew to Malaysia to pay his last respects to Gandhiji. India supported Malaysia when Malaysia and Singapore split. Malaysia also supported India in the war with Pakistan in 1965 when Indonesia threatened to attack India in support of Pakistan. In the 20th century, India's relations with South Asian countries have been fluctuating, but overall relations with Malaysia have remained strong.