KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will support India's research and development on palm oil production, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the two countries would collaborate on the process, adding that Malaysia is lucky to have India's "independent and professional views" compared to the negative reactions from the European Union (EU) and the United States on palm oil production.
"Some companies (in India) have conducted their own research to define the (country's) position (on palm oil production) (and) it will (continue to) increase.
"We also agreed to support the Indian experiment on palm oil production in a collaborative manner," Anwar said in an exclusive interview with India Today Global during his recent three-day visit to the country.
He said the collaboration also would be extended to other emerging sectors such as digitalisation and technology.
The EU has imposed strict regulations on Malaysian palm oil, citing environmental concerns over alleged deforestation and sustainability while the US has focused on labour practices and alleged human rights issues.
Both regions' stances pose significant challenges to Malaysia's palm oil industry.
Meanwhile, Anwar also announced that the country's desire to join BRICS has received support from all its member states.
However, he said they have not decided on Malaysia's membership status in the organisation, on whether it will be a full member or a member-partner.
Anwar was optimistic that the decision on Malaysia's application would be made in the next few months.
"They (BRICS) will decide in the next few months in Kazan, Russia (at the BRICS summit).
"There has been no resistance from the key players like Russia, Brazil, India, China, and South Africa. All the five countries support Malaysia (application)," Anwar said.
On June 18, Anwar announced that he had conveyed Malaysia's desire to join BRICS to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
BRICS, formed in 2009, serves as a platform for emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010.
In January 2024, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates were also admitted into the group.