What remains after the summit motorcades leave?

Six months or a year after international summits, the questions remain: what tangible benefits have been achieved and how have those connections evolved? In New Delhi, the BRICS summit unveiled discussions on trade, investment, and technology, but it was the unexpected cultural moments that resonated with the public. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's rendition of Kishore Kumar's song and his exchange with Malayalee lawyers underscored the power of human connections over formal statements.

The Malaysian government recognized the importance of people-to-people ties, akin to the old backpacker quarters of Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, Malaysian companies saw Malaysia as an advantageous base for Southeast Asia, while Indian businesses considered expanding engineering jobs in the country. Still, the ultimate test lies in the long-term impact of these interactions, as the naraz fufa waits patiently for concrete results.