Anwar was on song in India. Will Malaysia reap the rewards?
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim caused a bit of a stir in India recently with his spirited rendition of a Bollywood classic – a lighthearted moment that also neatly captured his broader push to deepen ties with the South Asian giant. A video of Anwar singing, from memory, Kishore Kumar’s 1965 hit ballad “Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat” (“Are you a dream or are you reality?”) was first…
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made headlines in India recently by singing a Bollywood classic during the Brics summit in New Delhi. This light-hearted moment showcased his efforts to strengthen Malaysia's ties with India, a country that holds significant importance for Malaysia's economic and strategic interests. In 2025, Malaysia's economy relied heavily on the US and China, with two-way trade valued at over 900 billion ringgit.
While the US is the largest source of foreign investment, China supplies raw materials and equipment crucial to Malaysia's industries, particularly its semiconductor sector. However, the US and China's rivalry has pushed Malaysia to diversify its partnerships, with India emerging as a natural candidate due to its strategic autonomy interests.
Despite signing a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024, bilateral trade between Malaysia and India remains underdeveloped, with Indian bureaucracy posing challenges for foreign investors. To bridge this gap, experts suggest focusing on sectors like semiconductors, palm oil, rice, and defence, with India potentially procuring the BrahMos air-to-surface missile system to lessen Malaysia's reliance on US-aligned nations.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
