Historic trade port Calicut draws attention as PM Anwar Ibrahim prepares to visit Keralam, meeting the Grand Mufti and state leaders after BRICS.
KERALAM (India): The city of Calicut, also known as Kozhikode, in Keralam (officially renamed from Kerala), is drawing attention ahead of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to the state tomorrow, following his participation in the 18th BRICS Summit.
A Bernama check around Calicut today found that the city remained bustling with its usual daily activities, while attention on the Prime Minister’s visit has increased following the announcement of his itinerary.
Anwar is scheduled to meet India’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad tomorrow to exchange views on community development, educational advancement and interfaith harmony.
On Monday, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan and Governor of Keralam Rajendra Vishwanath Arleka to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and Keralam in key sectors such as trade and investment, tourism, healthcare and education.
The presence of the Malaysian delegation and media attention surrounding the Prime Minister’s programmes have also placed Calicut in focus during Anwar’s current visit to India, particularly southern India.
Calicut, also known as Kozhikode, has a long history as a centre of trade and was once one of the important ports along the Malabar Coast, particularly for the spice trade with merchants from various regions.
Kozhikode also holds an important place in world history following the discovery of the sea route to India in 1498 by Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama, who landed at Kappad beach with three vessels and 170 crew members.
A monument was also erected at Kappad here to commemorate the historic landing.
Anwar arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hold a bilateral meeting with Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin.
Earlier, Anwar held a meeting with Modi at Hyderabad House, the State Guest House of the Prime Minister of India, as well as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on the sidelines of the summit.
After completing his visit to Keralam, the Prime Minister is scheduled to depart for the Maldives on Sept 14.