(UPDATE) KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia warned Wednesday that tensions between India and Pakistan could potentially disrupt rice imports to the heavily dependent Southeast Asian nation, prompting it to look elsewhere for supplies.
Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors have escalated with India launching strikes on Pakistan following last month's deadly attack on tourists in the Indian-administered side of the contested Kashmir region.
Malaysian Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said nearly 40 percent of the country's imported rice came from India and Pakistan.
"Their political and economic stability is crucial for food security in Malaysia," Mohamad told local daily New Straits Times.
"If a war or tensions occur that affect port operations or delivery infrastructure, rice imports to our country could be disrupted," he said. India supplied white rice, while basmati rice came from Pakistan — both staples for most of Malaysia's 34 million residents.
"If the situation in that region escalates, it will certainly have a direct impact on us, particularly in terms of prices and supply continuity," Mohamad told the paper.
Currently, Malaysian rice supplies are stable, but the Putrajaya-based government is boosting ties with other rice suppliers in the region, including Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia.
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