Modi-Mahathir meet: Zakir Naik, Article 370 revocation discussed

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian PM Mahathir bin Mohamad met on the sidelines of Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok during which the former raised the issue of Zakir Naik and also discussed the need for legislative changes to Jammu and Kashmir.

Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale, "PM Modi raised the issue of Zakir Naik and both sides decided that officials will keep in touch regarding it and its an important issue for New Delhi"

New Delhi has sent an extradition request to the country but no action has been taken by Kuala Lumpur. India born Zakir Naik is wanted in India and is known for his hate speeches. In 2017 India had revoked his passport and declared him as an offender. He currently resides in Malaysia which has given him a PR-Permanent Resident status. There is now growing criticism of Naik in Malaysia as well where he has been involved in hate speeches against minority Hindu population.

Removing the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was another key point that was discussed with PM explaining to Malaysian PM "the rationale behind the reorganisation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir" that will give "effective governance and socio-economic" development to the region.

In the context terror was also discussed and "how to cope with the growing global terror". Mahathir acknowledged that "terror is a global problem" and "terrorism in any form is something Malaysia is against", the foreign secretary said.