Anwar, Prabowo address transboundary fires and regional tensions at BRICS summit

The bilateral meeting between Malaysia's Prime Minister and Indonesia's President took place on the sidelines of the BRICS gathering in the Indian capital, where leaders from the bloc's member nations convened to discuss regional and global issues.

Among the key topics addressed was the recurring problem of transboundary haze from forest fires, a perennial concern for Southeast Asian nations experiencing air quality degradation during dry seasons. The two leaders discussed collaborative approaches to mitigate environmental impacts affecting both countries and the wider region.

The discussions also encompassed the escalating situation in West Asia, reflecting growing regional concern over international conflicts and their potential spillover effects. As key players in Southeast Asia, both Malaysia and Indonesia have sought to maintain balanced positions while advocating for diplomatic resolutions to global tensions.

The BRICS summit provided a platform for bilateral engagement alongside multilateral discussions involving other member states, allowing regional leaders to coordinate responses to transnational challenges including environmental degradation and geopolitical developments affecting Asia.