New Delhi: A touch of Bollywood diplomacy was brought into the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi by Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, who captivated social media by performing the timeless Kishore Kumar song “Khwaab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat”.
Ibrahim posted a video of his impromptu performance on social media, showcasing a lighter, cultural moment alongside high-stakes multilateral talks.
Attending the summit in the Indian capital as a BRICS Partner Country leader, he delivered his rendition of the 1965 romantic classic from the film Teen Devian during an informal engagement accompanying the official summit proceedings. Accompanied by a pianist, the Malaysian leader sang the SD Burman composition to the delight of attendees, as reported by News18.
He then went on to share the clip on X with a lighthearted Malay caption translated as “Teacher, may I have permission to sing for a moment, okay?” the video rapidly gathered traction online, drawing widespread praise across India and Southeast Asia.
The musical performance reflects Ibrahim’s well-documented personal affinity for Indian culture and cinema.
The Malaysian leader has showcased his love for Hindi classics during earlier bilateral engagements, having performed tracks by Kishore Kumar and Mukesh while visiting India.
Ibrahim has consistently highlighted shared historical and cultural ties between Malaysia and India, during official diplomatic exchanges, using Indian popular music as a bridge for soft-power diplomacy.
The Malaysian PM’s performance served as a reminder of the soft power underlying international relations, even as the Summit’s main sessions at Bharat Mandapam focused on heavy geopolitical priorities – including the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, global economic governance overhauls, and trade interoperability.
His engagement also reinforced the growing cultural and economic convergence between ASEAN members and the expanded BRICS bloc.