Key Takeaways
- PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Brunei marks the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to the Southeast Asian oil-rich sultanate.
- The key outcomes of PM Narendra Modi’s talks with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah include the expansion of trade ties, commercial linkages, and people-to-people exchanges.
- The ‘Act East’ Policy of India is a key initiative aimed at strengthening economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asian countries, including Brunei.
Bandar Seri Begawan/New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Wednesday warmly welcomed at the Istana Nurul Iman by Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah ahead of talks. The PM said their bilateral talks were wide-ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between their nations. They are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages, and people-to-people exchanges, which is a positive step for both countries.
In a post on X after holding talks with the Sultan, the PM said:
“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.”
Earlier, he was warmly welcomed at the Istana Nurul Iman by Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and his close family members.
Istana Nurul Iman is the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei and the seat of the Brunei government.
In a post on X, the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said:
“Building stronger India-Brunei relations.
“PM @narendramodi was warmly welcomed at the Istana Nurul Iman by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and his close family members.
“Brunei is an important partner in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy and its Vision of the Indo-Pacific.”
PM Modi arrived on Tuesday evening in the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to the Southeast Asian oil-rich sultanate.
This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties.
On Tuesday evening, PM Modi visited the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and spent some time there.
The mosque is named after Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei (father of the current Sultan, who also initiated its construction), and was completed in 1958.
Earlier, the PM inaugurated the new Chancery premises of the Indian High Commission in the Brunei capital.
