India may raise Zakir Naik’s extradition issue as Modi begins Malaysia visit
In 2019, Naik came under the scanner after his sermons on his Peace TV were cited as a reason by Bangladesh for a terror attack in Dhaka in 2016, in which 22 people lost their lives.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today (7 February) began a two-day official visit to Malaysia, where the issue of the extradition of controversial preacher Zakir Naik, who is wanted in India in connection with alleged hate speeches and money laundering, is expected to come up for discussion between the two countries.
Asked about an update on Naik's extradition, External Affairs Secretary (East) P Kumaran yesterday told the media in New Delhi, "As far as the question of Zakir Naik is concerned, I can assure you that all issues will be discussed during the visit."
"We also have had opportunities to discuss the issue in past visits at various levels. And we will probably continue to take up the issue until all technical procedures are completed, and we hope to get the outcome that we desire," Kumaran said.
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The Indian government in June had officially requested the Malaysian government to extradite Naik so that he could be probed by India's top counter-terror body National Investigation Agency (NIA).
In 2019, Naik came under the scanner after his sermons on his Peace TV were cited as a reason by Bangladesh for a terror attack in Dhaka in 2016, in which 22 people lost their lives.
Naik's NGO, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), was also declared unlawful in India in 2016 and is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate over allegations of money laundering to the tune of more than Rs18 crore.
In a statement shortly before he left for Kuala Lumpur today, Modi said India "will aim to deepen our defence and security ties, enhance our economic and innovation partnership, and expand our collaboration into new domains" during his talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
At the briefing, Kumaran said there is a lot of promise as far as India-Malaysia defence cooperation is concerned.
India, he said, was looking at the sale of Dornier aircraft. Since Malaysia also has Scorpene submarines, India is also looking at opportunities to try and collaborate, especially in terms of mid-life upgrades and retrofitting.
Asked about the potential for collaborating on SU-30 fighter aircraft, Kumaran said Malaysia has that aircraft and so does India. India, Kumaran added, has offered proposals for modification, upgradation and mid-life maintenance of those aircraft.
Besides, India is also looking at the potential for the supply of naval platforms by Indian shipyards. "So, those are all areas that look promising. We hope to be able to get something going on in these areas," the MEA official said.
