Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called upon the Global South countries to expand local currency trading settlements to shed reliance on US dollar (USD)-dominated financial architecture.
Delivering a lecture at government-linked think tank Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) at New Delhi's Sapru House, Ibrahim termed the
US dollar-dominated international financial architecture as "obsolete".
The Malaysian leader noted that pegging local currencies to the US dollar afforded the countries lesser control, adding that dynamics of the USD were being controlled from Washington.
He noted that Malaysia was already carrying out around 20% of its trade with China in local currencies, while the corresponding figure for Thailand stood at 18%.
Further, Ibrahim remarked that India and Malaysia were also taking steps to expand settlements in the respective currencies, Indian Rupee (INR) and Ringgit.
He highlighted that "an empowered Global South", which nations constituted 40% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 85% of the world's population, "is inevitable."
Ibrahim added that New Delhi, through its successful G20 presidency last year, had demonstrated that it was a key player in "shaping the agenda" of Global South.
Likewise, Ibrahim underscored India's prominent role as a BRICS member in supporting Malaysia's application.
In the meantime, during his address, PM Ibrahim emphasised that Kuala Lumpur's move to
formally apply for a BRICS membership was part of its strategic objective to "diversify" its economic diplomacy.
He expressed confidence that as a potential BRICS member Malaysia would help in enhancing economic collaboration with other group's states, as well as explore "new avenues" of cooperation.
Earlier in the day, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that New Delhi would have "no hesitation" in supporting Malaysia's BRICS bid.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a joint press briefing at New Delhi's Hyderabad House on Tuesday highlighted the decision of India and Malaysia to elevate their ties to the level of "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership".
He stated that both nations firmly believed in the "centrality" of ASEAN in the security architecture of Indo-Pacific, a point emphasised by Ibrahim as well.
The discussions between leaders of India and Malaysia resulted in signing eight pacts in the realm of employment and recruitment of workers, traditional medicine, digital technologies, youth affairs, arts, tourism and public administration among others.