Boycott appeals by Indians will not affect Malaysian trade: Mahathir

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Boycott appeals by Indians will not affect Malaysian trade: Mahathir

Dr Mahathir further said that his comments on the issue at the United Nations was made not in favor of any side

Tuesday October 8, 2019 8:22 PM, Agencies

Kuala Lumpur: While stressing that his comments on Kashmir made at UN was not in favour of any side, Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad Monday said the boycott appeals by Indian netizens will have no impact on his country's trade or investment.

"A boycott of Malaysia proposed by Indian netizens in the wake of my remark on Jammu and Kashmir will not affect the country's trade or investment", Mahathir Mohamed said.

Dr Mahathir further said that his comments on the issue at the United Nations was made not in favor of any side. "It was just a call for an amicable solution", he said, adding that the conflict between India and Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir can be resolved through negotiation without the use of force.

“Our (Malaysian) stand is not in favor of anyone. We only asked the two sides (India and Pakistan) to negotiate and not use force. That’s our policy", he said.

“We ask that there be no use of force. We call for negotiation or arbitration or the use of the courts of law,” he told a press conference at the lobby of Parliament, here Monday.

Mahathir Mohammed in his address at the 74th UN General Assembly, said: "Now, despite the UN resolution on Jammu and Kashmir, the country has been invaded and occupied. There may be reasons for this action but it is still wrong. India should work with Pakistan to resolve this problem. Ignoring the UN would lead to other forms of disregard for the UN and the Rule of Law."

India slammed the statement saying Jammu and Kashmir signed the Instrument of Accession like all other princely states, Pakistan invaded and illegally occupied parts of J-K. "The government of Malaysia should bear in mind the friendly relations between the two countries and desist from making such remarks", External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said Friday.

Mahathir however said he had raised the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at their recent meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, on the sidelines of the 5th Eastern Economic Forum, with the same approach of peace and negotiation.

The Malaysian premier said he had also informed Modi that the latter can contact him if he felt uncomfortable about Malaysia’s statement.

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