New Delhi [India], September 2: During his upcoming visit to Brunei Darussalam on September 3-4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss various aspects of bilateral relations and seek new opportunities for collaboration.
This visit marks the first official bilateral trip by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei and coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei.
Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary East at the Ministry of External Affairs, highlighted that defense is a key area of cooperation between the two nations. He noted that efforts are underway to establish a Joint Working Group to enhance defense collaboration.
Mazumdar detailed PM Modi's trip, mentioning that the Prime Minister will visit Brunei at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and will then proceed to Singapore on September 4-5 at the invitation of Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
“This will be the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei and it coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between our countries,” Mazumdar said.
He recalled previous visits by the Sultan of Brunei to India and noted the warm relationship between the two countries, which spans various sectors including defense, trade, energy, space, technology, health, and cultural exchanges.
Mazumdar emphasized that the Prime Minister’s visit aims to advance bilateral discussions and explore new areas of cooperation. He also noted the significant presence of the Indian diaspora in Brunei, which includes many professionals contributing positively to the local community.
Highlighting Brunei's support for India's space program, Mazumdar mentioned that Brunei has been instrumental in tracking and monitoring satellite launches through a telemetry tracking and command station established in 2000.
He also noted that Brunei is a crucial partner in India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision. An MoU on defense was first signed in 2016 and renewed in 2021, covering exchanges, ship visits, training, and joint exercises. Efforts to form a Joint Working Group for defense cooperation are ongoing.
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