Full Breakdown
Anwar Ibrahim’s Bollywood-Flavoured Diplomacy at the 2026 BRICS Summit
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Viral Singing and Modi Praise
During the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim combined formal diplomacy with cultural spontaneity. On September 12, after shaking hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Anwar told External Affairs Minister **S.
Background & Context
Malaysia participates in the BRICS framework as a Partner Country, invited by India’s leadership. In 2024, the two nations elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, building on decades of economic and cultural exchange. Anwar’s long-standing admiration for Indian cinema—previously expressed in interviews and social-media posts—provides a personal backdrop to his diplomatic outreach.
Timeline
- September 11 – Anwar arrives in New Delhi for the summit.
- September 12 – Bilateral meeting with Modi; Anwar remarks on Modi’s popularity.
- September 13 – Video of Anwar’s impromptu Kishore Kumar performance shared on Instagram.
Data & Statistics
- Music composed by S. D. Burman, lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri, with lead actor Dev Anand in the film.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Malaysian foreign ministry described the summit as “the highest-level platform of BRICS,” bringing together leaders to discuss global governance, sustainable development, economic cooperation, digital transformation and challenges facing developing countries.
Why It Matters / Impact
Anwar’s cultural gesture illustrates the use of soft power in high-level diplomacy, reinforcing people-to-people connections that complement formal agreements. By publicly celebrating a beloved Indian song, the Malaysian leader highlighted shared cultural heritage, potentially deepening public goodwill and supporting the broader strategic partnership between India and Malaysia.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact venue of the performance: some describe it as occurring at the BRICS gala dinner hosted at Bharat Mandapam, while others report a hotel setting in New Delhi. No official clarification has been provided, leaving the precise context of the musical moment ambiguous.
Verbatim Quotes
- “See, Prime Minister Modi is so popular; I got so many messages to pass on regards to him,” — Anwar Ibrahim, malaysian prime minister
- “I had the rare privilege of witnessing the early years of these transformative policies first-hand while we both served as finance ministers during the 1990s. We shared a fervent commitment to the war against corruption — even collaborating on unravelling a major case,” — Anwar Ibrahim, malaysian prime minister