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The triple strategic master strokes of Anwar

Anwar, in effect, demonstrated finesse in diplomacy, by ensuring that he maintained good relations with both India and Pakistan while protecting Khan from potential harm during his imprisonment.

Phar Kim Beng (The Jakarta Post)
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Kuala Lumpur
Thu, October 10, 2024

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The triple strategic master strokes of Anwar Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim listens to former Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans speak during an event at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra on March 7, 2024. (AFP/David Gray)

M

alaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent trip to South Asia has revealed a complex web of diplomacy, interspersed with cultural symbolism, political foresight and strategic maneuvering. What initially appeared to be a straightforward diplomatic visit to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh actually holds far greater implications.

Anwar’s subtle yet profound engagement in South Asia mirrors his mastery of Shakespearean intrigue, honed during his decade-long incarceration on trumped-up political charges, from all of which he has been exonerated.

The genius of Anwar’s trip lies not just in bilateral relations, but in his ability to position Malaysia as a strategic player in the larger geopolitical arena of South Asia, particularly through three key moves just a week before this week’s ASEAN Summit and East Asian Summit (EAS), which Malaysia will take over as chairman all throughout 2025.

At any rate, Anwar’s decision to space his visits to India and Pakistan by almost a month first, touching down in New Delhi in September 2024 was no accident.

After a warm and fruitful meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he subtly strengthened ties with India’s government, he followed up by meeting Rahul Gandhi, the opposition leader, who took to walking all across India, in a move reminiscent of Gandhi’s historic salt march against British imperialism.

Anwar and Rahul's meeting, while symbolic in nature, sent a quiet but powerful message to Islamabad just as quickly then, that Anwar was capable of engaging with both sides of India’s political spectrum.

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Thus in making his visit to Pakistan, Anwar's attempt to meet Imran Khan, the erstwhile prime minister of Pakistan, currently under detention, was done without the goal of destabilizing the delicate political balance in Pakistan.

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