Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, September 14 (ANI): Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held productive talks with Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Monday to discuss strengthening trade, economic ties and cultural connections between Malaysia and India.
Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Kerala after attending the BRICS Summit in New Delhi as part of his five-day visit to India.
Sharing details of the meeting on X, Anwar highlighted the initiative as part of Malaysia’s broader “MADANI Diplomacy” strategy to build deeper state-level partnerships.
“Continuing the MADANI Diplomacy mission in Kerala today by receiving a courtesy call from the Chief Minister of Kerala, V.D. Satheesan, during my visit to this state,” Anwar wrote.
The Malaysian prime minister noted that the discussions focused on several key growth sectors, including trade and investment, alongside shared historical ties.
“This meeting provided an opportunity for us to exchange views on Kerala’s vast potential to strengthen Malaysia-India relations, particularly through economic cooperation as well as increased trade and investment,” he wrote.
“We also explored opportunities for cooperation in the digital economy, health care, tourism, education, and high-value sectors. Business ties, people-to-people exchanges, and close historical and cultural links must also continue to be empowered,” he added.
The Malaysian prime minister also formally extended an invitation to Kerala’s leadership to head a trade and diplomatic delegation to Kuala Lumpur.
“I also invited CM Satheesan to visit Malaysia to continue these discussions and translate all existing potential into more concrete cooperation that benefits the people of both nations,” Anwar concluded.
On the other hand, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan welcomed the Malaysian prime minister, calling it an “absolute honor.” He further hailed the historic cultural ties between the two sides, noting the presence of the Malayali diaspora in Kuala Lumpur.
“An absolute honor to welcome the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to Kerala. Our historic cultural ties and the vibrant Malayali diaspora in Malaysia continue to anchor our enduring partnership,” he wrote in a post on X.
Detailing the discussions, Satheesan wrote that they “held productive discussions on expanding cooperation in IT, sustainable tourism, higher education, and trade.”
CM Satheesan welcomed the Malaysian prime minister at Karipur Airport in Kozhikode on Sunday.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim earlier held a meeting with Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, who holds the title of Grand Mufti of India, at Markazu Saquafathi Sunniyya in Kozhikode on Sunday.
Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad shared details of the interaction on social media, saying he had a “fruitful interaction” with the Malaysian prime minister.
“Had a fruitful interaction with YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Hon’ble Prime Minister of Malaysia, at Markazu Saquafathi Sunniyya, Calicut,” Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad posted on X.
Earlier, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim received a warm welcome at Markaz in Karanthur, Kozhikode, where he arrived to meet prominent Muslim Sunni cleric Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar.
The Malaysian prime minister reached Markaz at around 5:40 p.m., where he was received by Markaz Working Secretary Muhammed Abdul Hakeem Azhari and Secretary C. Mohammed Faizi, among others.
He later held a private meeting with Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar.
Discussions focused on educational exchanges between Markaz and Malaysian higher education institutions, cooperation in education, culture and knowledge, and the welfare of the Indian community in Malaysia.
At a reception held at the Markaz Convention Centre, the Sheikh Abu Bakar Foundation’s “Excellence Award,” instituted to honor prominent personalities working in the fields of humanitarian service, social reform and educational advancement, was presented to the Malaysian prime minister.
As a gesture of appreciation for the international Hadith recitation gatherings organized under the patronage of the Malaysian government over the past three years, the Grand Mufti presented Anwar Ibrahim with a handwritten manuscript of Sahih al-Bukhari, one of the world’s most renowned collections of Hadith.
Following the reception, Anwar Ibrahim attended a dinner hosted by the Grand Mufti, which was attended by prominent personalities from the religious, political, social, cultural and business sectors.
This was Ibrahim’s second visit to Kerala to meet the Grand Mufti. His first visit to Markaz took place in September 2022, a few weeks before he became Malaysia’s prime minister. (ANI)
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