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Malaysia’s Anwar wins hearts in India with ‘heartwarming’ Bollywood tribute
- In a display of cultural diplomacy, PM Anwar Ibrahim serenaded a crowd in New Delhi, charming social media users with his performance
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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s rendition of a classic Hindi film song during his state visit to India has charmed the host nation’s social media users who praised his “heartwarming” performance.
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Anwar was on a three-day trip to New Delhi this week, his first since he took office in 2022, where he met with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
The two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and signed a slew of agreements, including on digital technology and tourism – after relations had frayed in 2019 following then-prime minister Mahathir Mohamad’s criticism of India for revoking the autonomy to the half of Kashmir it administers.
Anwar also held talks with India’s corporate titans, members of the Malaysian diaspora and Rahul Gandhi, a senior leader of the main opposition Congress party.
The prime minister ended his diplomatic and business engagements on a high note, singing Dost dost na raha (A friend is no longer a friend) from the 1964 film Sangam (Confluence), along with a local ensemble and guests at Delhi’s Taj Mahal hotel.
The five-star hotel, where Anwar stayed, said it organised the event on Wednesday after he expressed his love for the Hindi film industry.
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