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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian PM Mahathir bin Mohamad met on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok during which the former raised the issue of Zakir Naik's extradition 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 it's an important issue for New Delhi".

New Delhi has sent an extradition request to Malaysia 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 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 Jammu and Kashmir was another key point that was discussed. "The rationale behind the reorganisation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir" will give "effective governance and socio-economic" development to the region, the prime minister told his Malaysian counterpart.

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", Gokhale said.