Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim meets Keralam CM, leaves for Maldives

Malappuram (Keralam): Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan met Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at a wellness centre in Chelembra on Monday during the latter's stay in the state.

Ibrahim met Keralam Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and a businessperson before boarding a flight from Karipur airport to the Maldives in the evening.

Ibrahim arrived in Keralam on Sunday evening after attending the BRICS conference in New Delhi and was staying at the wellness centre.


According to details shared by the Keralam Public Relations Department, Satheesan arrived at the centre by helicopter around 2.30 pm for the meeting with the Malaysian premier.

Indian Union Muslim League leaders Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal and PK Kunhalikutty, who is also the Keralam Industries Minister, were present at the meeting, according to pictures shared by the PRD.

Satheesan presented Ibrahim with a traditional Kathakali-themed memento.

Ibrahim presented a gift to Satheesan, as the pictures showed.

Later, Ibrahim shared pictures of his interaction with Satheesan on his Facebook page.

"This meeting provided space for us to exchange views on the great potential of Keralam in strengthening the Malaysia-India relationship, particularly through economic cooperation and increased trade and investment," he said.

"We explored cooperation and opportunities in the fields of digital economy, healthcare, tourism, education and high-value sectors. Business relations, people-to-people exchanges and close historical and cultural interconnections need to be strengthened," he added.

Ibrahim invited Satheesan to visit Malaysia to continue the discussions and translate the potential for cooperation into more concrete outcomes benefiting the citizens of both countries.

Satheesan shared pictures from the meeting on his social media accounts, as well.

"An absolute honour to welcome the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to Keralam. Our historic cultural ties and the vibrant Malayali diaspora in Malaysia continue to anchor our enduring partnership. Held productive discussions on expanding cooperation in IT, sustainable tourism, higher education, and trade," the CM said in an X post.

Later, Governor Arlekar met Ibrahim and held discussions with him.

In videos shared by the PRD, Arlekar was seen presenting a book to Ibrahim.

Arlekar, in addition, hosted a meeting with businesspersons from Keralam and neighbouring states.

According to a PRD statement, Ibrahim departed for the Maldives at 7.15 pm, concluding his two-day visit to Keralam.

Representing the state government, Malappuram District Collector Vinoy Goyal led the farewell for the Malaysian leader.

Malappuram District Police Chief Chaitra Teresa John, State Protocol Officer Aravind Pillai and External Affairs Ministry representative Vijayakumar were among those present at the farewell ceremony.

Ibrahim arrived in Keralam on Sunday evening to meet prominent Sunni scholar and Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar in Kozhikode.

Kanthapuram presented him with the first "Excellence Award" instituted by the Sheikh Abu Bakar Foundation at an event organised at Karanthur Markaz in Kunnamangalam, Kozhikode, on Sunday night.

The Malaysian leader later visited the Madavoor C M Valiyaullahi Maqam, a prominent pilgrimage centre in Kozhikode, along with Kanthapuram.

After attending the programmes on Sunday, Ibrahim stayed at the wellness centre in Chelembra.