What remains after the summit motorcades leave?

The day the reporter arrived in New Delhi for the BRICS summit, discussions about the summit's cost dominated Indian television. One presenter, Arnab Goswami, wondered if critics expected Vladimir Putin to stay in a budget hotel in Delhi's chaotic Paharganj, a place resembling old Kuala Lumpur's budget area and Penang's backpacker district.

The debate introduced the reporter to the Hindi phrase "naraz fufa," used by the BJP's ruling party to respond to opposition leader P Chidambaram's question about what India gained from joining BRICS. Malaysians, too, questioned what they gained from hosting international gatherings, including BRICS and Asean summits, with their convoys, security measures, hotel costs, and extravagant dinners.

The reporter, following Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, noticed similar concerns during the Asean summit. Anwar's rendition of Kishore Kumar's song, along with a brief dance with traditional performers, resonated with the Indian public, highlighting how cultural elements can have a more significant impact than official statements.

The reporter found an interesting conversation with Arun Rajendran of Segula Technologies, a French engineering company operating in India. Rajendran explained that experienced engineers in India were becoming expensive, while Malaysia already had the necessary manufacturing base for specialized engineering work. If proper training could be provided, some work could move to Malaysia.

This conversation struck the reporter more than discussions about global power dynamics. Other Indian businesses were exploring Malaysia for potential engineering jobs and as a base for Southeast Asia. However, the real test lies in translating meetings and announcements into tangible results, such as job creation and investments.