Kamal Ghorui
While India and Malaysia will look to ramp up trade and defence ties during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuala Lumpur over the weekend, the issue of fugitive Zakir Naik’s extradition is also likely to be raised by the Indian side. The visit is likely to see signing of several MoUs, including one for cooperation with Malaysia’s thriving semiconductor industry.“We have had opportunities to discuss the issue in past visits also at various levels. And, we will probably continue to take up the issue until all technical procedures are completed, and we hope to get the outcome that we desire,” said MEA secretary (east) P Kumaran, responding to a question about Naik.India and Malaysia have an extradition treaty, but the case, as Malaysia maintains, will be resolved based on judicial consideration. The official said that Modi and his counterpart Anwar Ibrahim will review progress under the India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, especially in priority areas of cooperation such as trade, investments, defence, security, semiconductors, digital technologies, renewable energy, education, healthcare, and people-to-people exchanges.Kumaran also underlined the potential for defence cooperation between the two countries, saying that India is looking at sale of Dornier aircraft to Malaysia. “Malaysia also has Scorpene submarines. We are looking at opportunities to try and collaborate, especially in terms of mid-life upgrades, retrofitting etc,” said the official.
