Kuala Lampur, Sept. 23 -- By the time Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PMX) left New Delhi, more people had watched him serenade a piano with a Kishore Kumar classic than had likely read the communique from the 18th Brics Leaders' Summit itself. The clip crossed a million views within days and was widely called the standout moment of the gathering, charming soft diplomacy that Malaysians are quietly known for.

But somewhere between the singing and the standing ovation, a far less photogenic line from the summit slipped past almost unnoticed. PMX named Islamic capital markets among the areas he wants Malaysia to pursue through its Brics partnership, alongside trade diversification, semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

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