After BRICS Summit, Anwar arrives in Keralam for second leg of India working visit

 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. FILE PIC

KERALAM, INDIA: After attending the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Calicut, also known as Kozhikode, Keralam (renamed from Kerala), today for the second and final leg of his working visit to India.

The aircraft carrying Anwar and his delegation landed at Calicut International Airport here at 4.56pm local time (7.26pm Malaysian time).

Anwar was received by the Consul General of Malaysia to South India K. Saravana Kumar, Consul General of Malaysia in Mumbai Najwa Musyrifah Ramli, Keralam Agriculture Minister T. Siddique and Keralam Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha.

Also present were Malappuram District Collector Dr Vinay Gopal, Malappuram District Police Chief Chaitra Teresa John and Chennai Regional Passport Officer Vijayakumar IFS.

Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, is accompanied on the working visit by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.

From the airport, Anwar is scheduled to meet the Grand Mufti of India, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, at Markazu Saquafathi Sunniya, also known as Jamia Markaz, here to exchange views on community development, educational advancement and interfaith harmony.

Anwar will also attend a reception and Du'a Majlis, where he is expected to deliver a speech, before concluding his first day of engagements in South India.

Tomorrow, Anwar is scheduled to meet Keralam Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to discuss bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and Keralam in key sectors, including trade and investment, tourism, healthcare and education.

Anwar's visit to Keralam is aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations and unlocking strategic collaboration in key sectors, including trade and investment, the digital economy, talent and labour, education and regional connectivity.

Anwar arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modern diplomatic relations between Putrajaya and New Delhi were established in 1957, shortly after Malaysia gained independence. India remains Malaysia's largest trading partner in South Asia, with bilateral trade reaching US$18.55 billion (RM79.33 billion) in 2025.

After completing his visit to Keralam, Anwar is scheduled to depart for the Maldives on Sept 14. - NST