PM Modi Brunei & Singapore Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister on a bilateral visit to Brunei. After growing ties between Brunei and India, PM Modi got a grand welcome for his arrival in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. Besides that, it will be the first time that an Indian prime minister has been to Brunei; it’s also their 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relations that had been most awaited to celebrate such relations even more.
Ceremonial Welcome by Brunei’s Crown Prince
Prime Minister Modi received the ceremonial welcome by Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah upon his arrival at Bandar Seri Begawan. Soon after the Indian PM reached the hotel, members of the Indian community in Brunei thronged outside the hotel hailing and chanting “Modi-Modi” with high enthusiasm. The visit to Brunei for the first time opened the headquarters of the Indian High Commission. It was a sign of growing relations between the two countries and marked one of the great efforts toward the strengthening of relations with the Indian community living in Brunei. A day full of cultural and diplomatic exchange.
Strengthening Ties Through Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision
Aside from the inauguration of the High Commission, PM Modi was to pay respects to Brunei’s rich cultural heritage and would visit a famous mosque constructed by the father of the current Sultan as a part of deeper personal and diplomatic relations. During his visit, the PM also earmarked Brunei and Singapore as two important partners in India’s Act East policy. The visit is part of India’s overall effort to expand its presence and engagement in the ASEAN region as well as to actuate the Indo-Pacific vision for a confident, resilient, and inter-connected Indo-Pacific.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “PM Narendra Modi has arrived in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. This historic visit is special for 2 reasons – 1) This is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to this country, 2) This happens to be the 40th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations, warm and friendly relations between India and Brunei. At the airport today, PM was received by the Crown Prince and then accorded ceremonial welcome. When he arrived at the hotel, the vibrant Indian community was there to cheer him, welcome him and greet him.”
“This evening, the PM will be inaugurating the new Chancery premises of the High Commission of India. There again, he will get the opportunity to interact and greet the vibrant Indian community in Brunei. Thereafter the PM will be visiting an iconic mosque built by the father of the present Sultan. At that event as well, there will be members of Indian community present to welcome and greet him. Tomorrow, the PM will hold talks with The Sultan on the way forward for India-Brunei relationship. The visit of the PM to Brunei is in keeping with India’s Act East policy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific..,” he added
Paying Respects to Brunei’s Cultural Heritage
PM said he looked forward to the meeting with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other members of the royal family with whom India has always enjoyed good relations, to reach new heights. After visiting Brunei, Prime Minister Modi will undertake yet another visit to Singapore from September 4. He would meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong along with other officials. These meetings are expected to give new dimensions to these relations and strengthen the relationship between the two nations.
This visit by Prime Minister Modi has thus been a milestone in the four decades of the engagement of diplomatic relations between the two countries and provides a platform for further cooperation in times to come between the two countries, India and Brunei. That would reflect the intent of strengthening bilateral relations and furthering the strategic interests of India in the Indo-Pacific region.
