On September 3, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his significant visit to Brunei, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Southeast Asian nation. This visit not only celebrated the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei but also focused on enhancing cooperation in various emerging fields.
During the visit, PM Modi met with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at the royal palace. The discussions covered a wide range of topics including FinTech, digital technology, renewable energy, and digital payment systems. The meeting underscored the commitment of both nations to explore and expand bilateral cooperation in these crucial areas.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that PM Modi's visit was both "fruitful" and pivotal for strengthening ties between the two countries. Secretary East, Jaideep Mazumdar, provided insights into the visit, noting that the Sultan hosted a lunch for the Prime Minister, further emphasising the warmth of the reception.
One of the major highlights of the visit was the announcement of direct flights between Brunei and India, with connections planned from Bandar Seri Begawan to Chennai later this year. This development is expected to enhance people-to-people connections and boost bilateral trade and tourism.
In addition to economic and technological discussions, space cooperation was also on the agenda. The MEA Secretary mentioned that space has traditionally been a key area of collaboration, with India’s telemetry tracking and command station located in Brunei. Both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance this cooperation.
The visit also saw PM Modi inaugurate the new Chancery Premises of the High Commission of India in Brunei. The new building, designed with Indian architectural motifs, symbolises the deepening of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei.
During his stay, PM Modi visited the iconic Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, a site of historical and cultural significance in Brunei. The visit allowed him to engage with the Indian diaspora and appreciate the local culture.
The visit comes as part of India’s Act East Policy, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. This policy, launched in 2014, aims to strengthen India’s ties with the ASEAN region and the broader Indo-Pacific area.
The MEA noted that this visit is a testament to the increased focus on this policy, with recent high-level visits from other ASEAN countries and planned engagements with Singapore.
PM Modi expressed his gratitude to the people and government of Brunei for their hospitality. He emphasised that the visit would usher in a new era of stronger ties between India and Brunei, contributing positively to regional and global partnerships.
As PM Modi departed for Singapore, he looked forward to further discussions with Singaporean leaders, aiming to enhance strategic partnerships in advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development. This ongoing engagement reflects India’s commitment to deepening relationships with key partners in the ASEAN region and beyond.
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