Malaysian PM sings Kishore Kumar’s ‘Khwab Ho Tum’ during India visit for BRICS Summit | Trending - Hindustan Times

**Kishore Kumar’s ‘Khwab Ho Tum’ Echoes in New Delhi as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Joins Cultural Tribute**

New Delhi – Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia added an unexpected musical note to the diplomatic itinerary of the BRICS summit by delivering a spontaneous rendition of the classic Hindi song “Khwab Ho Tum,” originally sung by the legendary Kishore Kumar. The impromptu performance took place during a private cultural gathering hosted by Indian officials at the Taj Palace Hotel, where Anwar, known for his affinity for Indian cinema, took the microphone and sang the 1970s love ballad to the delight of attending Indian politicians and journalists. Observers described the moment as “a warm gesture of goodwill that highlighted the soft‑power ties between the two nations,” underscoring Anwar’s personal rapport with India’s political elite.

Anwar’s visit, officially scheduled to coincide with the BRICS summit’s deliberations on trade, technology and climate cooperation, also featured a series of high‑level meetings. He held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on enhancing bilateral trade, particularly in the energy and digital sectors, and discussed a prospective defence partnership that could see Indian firms supplying equipment to Malaysia and, jointly, to Ethiopia—an emerging market both countries are courting. In a separate engagement, Anwar met with senior Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, where the discussion centered on strengthening people‑to‑people contacts, educational exchanges, and collaborative projects within the Indo‑Pacific region.

The cultural overture was not the sole highlight of Anwar’s Delhi itinerary. After the BRICS sessions, he paid respects to former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a gesture that resonated with Indian political circles. The trip also coincided with India’s intensified outreach to African leaders, as Modi hosted a summit of African heads of state later that week, signalling New Delhi’s ambition to deepen ties across the continent. While Anwar’s singing drew smiles and social‑media buzz, officials from both capitals emphasized that substantive outcomes—ranging from trade agreements to defence cooperation—remain the core of the bilateral agenda.