It is odd that Malaysia is outside the Group of Twenty (G20).
It should in fact be part of the group, either through the main door or ad hoc measures.
This possibility could be explored by the new government in Putrajaya.
After all, non-members the Netherlands, Spain and Singapore are regularly invited to G20 meetings. They are now considered 'normal' attendees.
If it is possible for them to be part of the G20 in an informal fashion, can't the same apply to Malaysia?
The fact that the chairmanship of the G20 this year is held by India could make for a powerful case to involve Putrajaya in the18th Heads of State and Government Summit in September.
Perhaps it is already too late. The list of "informal" invitees is already out.
They include the prime minister of Mauritius, a strategic partner of New Delhi.
Doesn't Malaysia resemble Mauritius and isn't it much closer to India than the African island nation?
Diplomacy is an open- ended process and I am sure the Indian officials preparing for the summit can easily find a way to 'enlarge' the table and get a seat for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
India is focused on the Global South. This is evidenced by the initial G20 events that were held, including the First Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion. Malaysia can play a huge role in this regard.
Certainly, it's not just because of Anwar's expertise that Malaysia should be invited. It's because of the role that the country occupies in the region and beyond.
If everyone recognises the importance of Asean, then the grouping's new secretary-general, Dr Kao Kim Hourn, should also be at the summit.
If Latin America is officially represented at the table by Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, the Asia Pacific cannot just be represented by China, South Korea, Japan and Indonesia. Even Thailand should claim a place.
Now it will be up to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his foreign minister to find a way to do the right thing: Malaysia and the Asean Secretariat deserve to be in New Delhi in September.
It is going to be about friendship but also about strategy and most importantly, long-term interests.
* The author writes on civic engagement, youth development, the SDGs, human rights and regional integration in the context of Asia Pacific
