Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei on Wednesday. The issues discussed included defence, trade & investment, food security, education, energy, and space technology. These discussions emphasized the enhancement of bilateral relations between the two countries.
This milestone meeting at Istana Nurul Iman was followed by the signing and exchange of MoU by the two countries hence marking the first diplomatic engagement between the two countries of India and Brunei. The two leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of an MoU on Cooperation in the operation of Telemetry, Tracking, and Telecommand Station for Satellite and Launch Vehicles by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Brunei's Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Shamhary Pengiran Dato Mustapha. Later, PM Modi left for Singapore continuing the second leg of his two-nation visit. "My visit to Brunei Darussalam was productive. This is a new chapter in the relations between India and Brunei, reflecting a greater degree of bonding between the two. Our friendship will contribute towards a better world. I am thank you to the people of Brunei and the government for their gracious hospitality and love," said the Prime Minister in a post on X.
Speaking at a banquet hosted by Sultan Bolkiah, the Prime Minister thanked him for the warm welcome and conveyed very best wishes to Brunei on the 40th anniversary of its independence. "On behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and the people of Brunei. The foundation of our friendship is our centuries-old cultural linkage. Under your leadership, our relations are deepening day by day," said PM Modi.
Recalling the age-old relations between the two countries, the Prime Minister reminisced that the visit of Sultan Bolkiah to India as the Chief Guest on Republic Day in 2018 is still remembered with fondness by the people of India. He also expressed his great happiness for the opportunity to meet Sultan Bolkiah at the beginning of the start of the third term of his premiership, especially in the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei. "Brunei partnership is central to India's 'Act East' policy and the Indo-Pacific vision, and with both nations now committing to this golden future, I am personally hopeful that this is going to create a strategic guidance for relations hereafter," said PM Modi.
PM Modi also reaffirmed India's commitment to its 'Act East' policy and vision for the Indo-Pacific. Following the meeting, PM Modi took to social media showing his satisfaction with the deliberations that were held, and he posted: "Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide-ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages, and people-to-people exchanges.
Historic visit to Brunei by Prime Minister Modi—it is the first bilateral visit of the Indian Prime Minister to the Southeast Asian nation. He was given a ceremonial welcome as he arrived at Bandar Seri Begawan Airport on Tuesday afternoon, and he was very warmly received by Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Crown Prince and Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office of Brunei.
During his visit, PM Modi also made a visit to the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, a landmark building named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei, who was also known as the Architect of Modern Brunei. In the afternoon, he inaugurated the new Chancery of the Indian High Commission in Brunei and was warmly received by the Indian diaspora. The visit foresees exploring new opportunities for cooperation in defence, trade and investment, energy, space technology, health and capacity building, culture, and through vibrant people-to-people exchanges.
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