Prime Minister Modi lands in Brunei on historic two-day visit
| 2024-09-03
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is accorded a ceremonial welcome on his arrival in Brunei on September 3, 2024.
Brunei is an important partner in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Brunei on a historic two-day visit on Tuesday (September 3, 2024) for a series of high-level engagements that are set to strengthen ties between the two nations.
This is the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei and it coincides with the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries this year. Brunei is an important partner in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy, which is completing 10 years, and its Vision of the Indo-Pacific.
Prime Minister Modi was received at the airport by Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and was accorded a ceremonial welcome.
"Landed in Brunei Darussalam. Looking forward to strong ties between our nations, especially in boosting commercial and cultural linkages. I thank Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah for welcoming me at the airport,' Prime Minister Modi posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
Prime Minister Modi later inaugurated the new Chancery of the High Commission of India and said this would strengthen bilateral ties. "Delighted to inaugurate the new Chancery of the High Commission of India, indicative of our stronger ties with Brunei Darussalam. This will also be serving our diaspora," PM Modi said on X.
The Prime Minister also interacted with the Indian community members who were present at the inauguration and appreciated their contribution as a living bridge between the two countries and strengthening bilateral ties.
The first phase of Indians arriving in Brunei started with the discovery of oil in the 1920s. Currently, approximately 14,000 Indians are residing in Brunei. The contribution of Indian doctors and teachers to the growth and development of Brunei’s health care and education sectors has been well acknowledged, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
On Wednesday (September 4, 2024), Prime Minister Modi is set to hold high-level talks with Brunei’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other high-ranking members of the ruling establishment before leaving on a two-day visit to Singapore.
Over the years, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah has been a strong advocate for closer relations with India, supporting the welfare of the Indian community in Brunei and endorsing India’s ‘Look East Policy’ and ‘Act East Policy.’
India and Brunei share a very warm and friendly relationship with bilateral engagements covering multiple areas such as defence, trade and investment, energy, space technology, health, capacity building, culture and vibrant people-to-people exchanges
Briefing the media on the eve of Prime Minister Modi's visit on Monday (September 2, 2024), Secretary (East) Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Jaideep Mazumdar highlighted the strong cooperation between India and Brunei, particularly in the areas of space and defence.
"We have received valuable support from Brunei in our space program. We have three MoUs with Brunei in this area. We established a Telemetry, Tracking and Command station in Brunei in 2000 and this tracks and monitors all our eastward launches of satellites and satellite launch vehicles. Defence is another important pillar in our bilateral cooperation," the MEA Secretary (East) said.
An MoU on defence which was signed in 2016 and subsequently renewed in 2021 provides a framework for collaboration that covers regular exchanges at high levels, Naval and Coast Guard ship exchange visits, training and joint exercises and participation in each other's exhibitions, he explained.
"We are also working towards establishing a joint working group for cooperation in the area of defence," Secretary (East) Mazumdar added.
This is the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei and it coincides with the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries this year. Brunei is an important partner in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy, which is completing 10 years, and its Vision of the Indo-Pacific.
Prime Minister Modi was received at the airport by Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and was accorded a ceremonial welcome.
"Landed in Brunei Darussalam. Looking forward to strong ties between our nations, especially in boosting commercial and cultural linkages. I thank Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah for welcoming me at the airport,' Prime Minister Modi posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
Prime Minister Modi later inaugurated the new Chancery of the High Commission of India and said this would strengthen bilateral ties. "Delighted to inaugurate the new Chancery of the High Commission of India, indicative of our stronger ties with Brunei Darussalam. This will also be serving our diaspora," PM Modi said on X.
The Prime Minister also interacted with the Indian community members who were present at the inauguration and appreciated their contribution as a living bridge between the two countries and strengthening bilateral ties.
The first phase of Indians arriving in Brunei started with the discovery of oil in the 1920s. Currently, approximately 14,000 Indians are residing in Brunei. The contribution of Indian doctors and teachers to the growth and development of Brunei’s health care and education sectors has been well acknowledged, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
On Wednesday (September 4, 2024), Prime Minister Modi is set to hold high-level talks with Brunei’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other high-ranking members of the ruling establishment before leaving on a two-day visit to Singapore.
Over the years, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah has been a strong advocate for closer relations with India, supporting the welfare of the Indian community in Brunei and endorsing India’s ‘Look East Policy’ and ‘Act East Policy.’
India and Brunei share a very warm and friendly relationship with bilateral engagements covering multiple areas such as defence, trade and investment, energy, space technology, health, capacity building, culture and vibrant people-to-people exchanges
Briefing the media on the eve of Prime Minister Modi's visit on Monday (September 2, 2024), Secretary (East) Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Jaideep Mazumdar highlighted the strong cooperation between India and Brunei, particularly in the areas of space and defence.
"We have received valuable support from Brunei in our space program. We have three MoUs with Brunei in this area. We established a Telemetry, Tracking and Command station in Brunei in 2000 and this tracks and monitors all our eastward launches of satellites and satellite launch vehicles. Defence is another important pillar in our bilateral cooperation," the MEA Secretary (East) said.
An MoU on defence which was signed in 2016 and subsequently renewed in 2021 provides a framework for collaboration that covers regular exchanges at high levels, Naval and Coast Guard ship exchange visits, training and joint exercises and participation in each other's exhibitions, he explained.
"We are also working towards establishing a joint working group for cooperation in the area of defence," Secretary (East) Mazumdar added.
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