- Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim called Israeli actions in Gaza state terrorism
- Ibrahim condemned Israel’s colonisation of Palestine, citing its 70-year history
- He refused to label Pakistan a state sponsor of terror against India
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called Israel's action in Gaza "state terrorism", but refused to apply the same yardstick to Pakistan and call India's neighbour a state sponsor of terror.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV's Vishnu Som, Ibrahim minced no words in condemning Israeli actions against Hamas in Gaza, but was at a loss for words when it came to Pakistan's policy of terrorism towards India.
Ibrahim, who is in India for the BRICS Summit, demanded an end to what he called Israel's "colonisation" of Palestine.
"Hamas is just 20 years old. But the colonisation of Palestine is 70 years old. We in Malaysia and India are familiar with colonisation. We can't condone Palestine's colonisation by Israel," Ibrahim told NDTV.
"Continuous bombing and killings are atrocious. Israel's actions in Gaza are state terrorism," he declared.
But when asked whether he would also call what Pakistan did in Pahalgam last year state terror, Ibrahim refused to do so.
"I wouldn't go to that extent. I know it's very sensitive to say that in India. I'm a close friend of Modi Ji, and we also engage with the Pakistanis," Ibrahim said, refusing to call Pakistan a state sponsoring terror against India.
When pushed with facts and figures on Pakistan-sponsored terror that has taken thousands of lives in India, Ibrahim argued that none of his intelligence agencies have ascertained the terror acts as being guided by Pakistan, hurriedly adding that he is not suggesting that there were no terrorist acts.
"Well, it has to be established. I mean, I'm not suggesting that there were no terrorist acts. There were. But to ascertain for certain, I mean, none of my intelligence establishment engaged with India, have come back and said, Sir Anwar, yes there was a state-sponsored terrorism there. Therefore, I, as Prime Minister of Malaysia, would then refer to these facts."
Praising India as a great country with a great civilisation, great culture and great history, Ibrahim said he hoped that issues between India and Pakistan are resolved.
