The Malaysia-Iran relationship after Malaysia's independence

Abstract

Having opened its embassy in Tehran in mid 1960's, Malaysia started to grow its effort to present itself as an important south East Asia country for Middle East region. Malaysia looked at Iran as an influential powerful country in Middle East during 1960s and 1970s. After the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979, Malaysia-Iran relationship has been increased. Both of these countries are playing an important role at OIC (organization of Islamic countries) and NAM (non aligned movement). The relationships between two countries are very important in different aspects. Iran looks at Malaysia as an important fast developing Muslim country and also as an influential member of ASEAN, and Malaysia looks at Iran as an important player in the Middle East policy. The political dimension of the Iranian-Malaysian relationship continues to be developed within the framework of increased political-economic involvement, and in pan-Islamic initiatives and organizations. Both Iran and Malaysia are founding members of the D-8, the Islamic equivalent of the G-7 group of industrialized nations. The 0 -8, established this January, includes Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Nigeria and Bangladesh. Among the states aims of the group is to form an Islamic common market, including a common Islamic currency, and fostering coordination of the rich resources and industrial potential held by the member states. The group also aims to create a political and military system to solve crises in the world of Islam, such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine. This article is aiming to study the relationship between these two countries since Malaysia's independence at 1957.