Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim meets Kerala CM, discusses stronger ties

The meeting took place during Anwar’s visit to Kerala following his participation in the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi. Satheesan travelled by helicopter to the wellness centre, where the Malaysian Prime Minister was staying.

The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in areas including information technology, tourism, education, healthcare, trade and investment. The leaders also highlighted the longstanding cultural and people-to-people connections between Kerala and Malaysia, particularly the significant Malayali diaspora in Malaysia.

Anwar later said the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Kerala’s potential to contribute to stronger Malaysia-India relations, including economic cooperation, trade and investment. He also identified the digital economy, healthcare, tourism, education and high-value sectors as areas offering scope for greater collaboration.

The Malaysian Prime Minister invited Satheesan to visit Malaysia to continue discussions and explore ways of translating the identified opportunities into concrete cooperation.

Satheesan described the meeting as an honour and said Kerala’s historic cultural links with Malaysia and the vibrant Malayali community there remained important foundations for closer ties.

Kerala Industries Minister P. K. Kunhalikutty and IUML state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal also attended the meeting. Satheesan presented Anwar with a traditional memento featuring Kathakali, while the Malaysian leader exchanged gifts with the Chief Minister.

Anwar’s Kerala visit also included meetings with prominent Sunni scholar and Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar in Kozhikode. His visit is part of his five-day working visit to India.