Malaysia ready to help cool India-Pakistan tensions, says Anwar

 The prime minister says close ties with both nations place Malaysia in a position to support efforts towards regional peace and stability.

Pakistan and India have exchanged tit-for-tat diplomatic barbs and expulsions since the April 22 attack at a tourist site in Kashmir that killed 26. (AP pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Malaysia is open to helping cool tensions between India and Pakistan after the deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today.

Anwar said Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif had been forced to postpone his official trip to Malaysia, slated for this Friday, following the heightened tensions.

In a Facebook post, Anwar said he condemned all forms of violence and expressed hope that the situation would deescalate soon.

“I affirmed Malaysia’s support for an independent and transparent investigation to identify those responsible (for the attack in Kashmir).

“Malaysia remains open to playing a constructive role, should the need arise. We believe our close ties with both Pakistan and India place us in a position to support efforts towards regional peace and stability,” the prime minister added.

Twenty-six people were killed in the April 22 attack at a tourist site in Kashmir, with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi vowing to pursue those who had supported the assault.

Pakistan denied being involved in the attack but exchanged tit-for-tat diplomatic barbs and expulsions with India, with border crossings between both nations closed.

It was reported that the defence forces of both countries exchanged gunfire for nine nights in a row along the militarised line of control following the incident.

Both Pakistan and India have laid claim to Kashmir, a divided Muslim-majority region of around 15 million people, with three wars fought since the two nations were separated in 1947. - FMT