Arya News - During the BRICS Leaders` Summit’s gala dinner in New Delhi, Anwar also said he had renewed his invitation for Prabowo to visit Malaysia to discuss and resolve several outstanding bilateral matters.
NEW DELHI – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto discussed the issue of forest fires and developments in the Middle East conflict during their meeting on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit here.
The discussion comes amid a severe forest and land fire season in Indonesia, with smoke from fires in parts of Kalimantan and Sumatra affecting neighbouring countries, including Malaysia.
Anwar, who took the opportunity to speak to Prabowo during the Summit’s gala dinner on Saturday, said he had renewed his invitation to Prabowo to visit Malaysia to discuss and resolve several outstanding bilateral matters.
Separately, the Prime Minister confirmed that Malaysia is exploring the possibility of acquiring India’s BrahMos air-to-surface missile system, adding that discussions, however, are still ongoing and no final decision has been made.
In an interview with India’s NDTV, Anwar said while discussion on it took place during the bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, the rightful decision maker would be the Air Force.
“I told Prime Minister Modi that I am supportive of that because this relationship is build on trust and we want to cement it in all fields.
“But my position is always to get the departments or agencies concerned and those having the expertise in the Air Force (weigh in),” he added, acknowledging India’s defence capabilities.
The BrahMos is a long-range, ramjet-powered supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, fighter aircraft or transporter erector launcher.
It is a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Russian Federation’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, who together formed BrahMos Aerospace.
Anwar also said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is scheduled to make an official visit to Malaysia next month.
“Several matters concerning Malaysia-Egypt relations will be discussed in greater depth during President El-Sisi’s official visit,” he said in a post on his social media.
In 2024, Malaysia and Egypt agreed to work towards elevating bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to discuss various issues, including global geopolitical developments, with several world leaders.
Aside from El-Sisi and Prabowo, he also held discussions with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Kuchkarov, United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres and World Trade Organisation director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
“Our discussions touched on global geopolitical developments, particularly the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza as well as tensions in the Middle East,” he said.
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Malaysia’s PM Anwar, Indonesian President Prabowo discuss forest fires, Middle East conflict
Egyptian president to visit Malaysia next month