A #BoycottMalaysia hashtag is trending on Twitter after the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Several Twitter users from India are calling for a boycott of Malaysian products and the nation itself after Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's comments regarding the ongoing conflicts in Jammu and Kashmir.

Why did #BoycottMalaysia begin?

It all started with a speech.

During the General Debate of the 74th session of UNGA on September 27, Mahathir began by speaking of Israel, acts of terrorism and the current fate of Rohingyas in Myanmar.

What caught the attention of netizens from India, however, was his next sentence.

"Now, despite UN resolution on Jammu and Kashmir, the country has been invaded and occupied. There may be reasons for this action, but it is still wrong. The problem must be solved by peaceful means," Mahathir said during his speech. "India should work with Pakistan to resolve this problems. Ignoring the UN would lead to other forms of disregards toward the United Nations and the Rule of Law."

A day later, Mahathir followed up on Twitter referring back to his earlier speech.

There may be reasons for this action but it is still wrong. The problem must be solved by peaceful means. India should work with Pakistan to resolve this problem. Ignoring the UN would lead to other forms of disregard for the UN and the Rule of Law. pic.twitter.com/QOQtIkPTC1 — Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) September 28, 2019

Twitter users from India and Malaysia alike began exchanging heated remarks with each other immediately.

How are people reacting?

There are currently more than 8,000 tweets using the trending hashtag.

Indian Twitter users are taking to Twitter demanding that fellow countrymen avoid Malaysia in light of Mahathir's stance on Kashmir.

Dear @narendramodi ji, don't be under pressure by few inconsequential nations. Stick to your decision and we, ALL us patriotic Indians will stand by you and with you. #KashmirHumaaraHai #BoycottMalaysia #BoycottTurkey — Gita S. Kapoor 🇮🇳 (@GitaSKapoor) September 30, 2019

Simply #BoycottMalaysia. If it isn’t urgent, don’t travel there. Avoid trade. With this bigoted and uninformed man heading it, it is a hostile State. https://t.co/W6ikikobDT — Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) September 29, 2019

Malaysian PM-“J&K is invaded & occupier by India” @chedetofficial Sir,it seems age caused dementia to U,Pl check facts



-Last yr 8 L Indian visited Malaysia

Dear Indian

-Pl #BoycottMalaysia from your touring destinations as they r supporting terror state Pak

-Palm Oil Import❌ pic.twitter.com/938F3XsLWI — Major Surendra Poonia (@MajorPoonia) September 29, 2019

Malaysian Twitter users are also piggybacking onto the hashtag, but to instead show support for Mahathir's comments though some are also making juvenile remarks about India.

As a person who has lived in both India and Malaysia, the #BoycottMalaysia makes no sense. Malaysia is not anti Indian or Hindu (visit once and find out) in the slightest; @chedetofficial was highlighting the negative state of Kashmir right now! Focus on the PEOPLE is the msg! — Anirudh Narayanan (@UhKneeRude) September 30, 2019

So proud of our Prime Minister, despite his old age he is one of only few people in this world who is brave enough to speak about the truth and stand for those people’s rights! #BoycottMalaysia ??? Nahh you guys are actually terrified about the ugly truth. #ProudMalaysian here 💪🏽 — faz (@sensationalblue) September 30, 2019

with the recent #BoycottMalaysia . one of the reason i respect @chedetofficial as my leader of the nation. Sure he has some bad policies and controversy and what not. But he's outright outspoken stand on whats wrong is something all future malaysian prime ministers should be — shiroyatsu (@hariz44577106) September 30, 2019

What happens next?

Previously in September, Mahathir had met with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Russia to discuss both the issues of Kashmir and the extradition of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, according to The Economic Times.

Mahathir was said to have not show support or opposition to any parties but hoped that the conflict "would be settled and it would not escalate in a war," also suggesting a third party to moderate talks or bringing the issue of Kashmir to international court.

India is currently Malaysia's 10th largest trading partner with a total bilateral trade target of US$15 billion set for 2020 being achieved during 2018/2019, according to MalaysiaKini.

At the end of his speech at the UNGA, Mahathir said the UN's original purpose should be reinstated.

"We must punish warmongers. We must make the world peaceful for all. That was our mission and that must remain our mission," he said. "Only if we succeed can we claim that we are civilized."

Cover image sourced from Wikimedia Commons.