Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on official visits to Brunei and Singapore, beginning September 3. This trip marks a significant diplomatic effort aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and advancing India’s strategic interests in the region.
Prime Minister Modi will be in Brunei from September 3-4, at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. This visit is notable as it represents the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei, commemorating 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The agenda for Modi’s visit to Brunei includes discussions on a wide range of cooperative areas. According to Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Prime Minister will engage in bilateral talks covering various sectors such as defence, trade, investment, energy, space, technology, health, and cultural exchanges.
Mazumdar highlighted the significant contribution of the Indian diaspora in Brunei, which includes approximately 14,000 individuals who play vital roles in sectors such as healthcare and education. The visit aims to reinforce India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and bolster the vision for the Indo-Pacific region. Brunei’s role as India’s Country Coordinator in ASEAN from 2012 to 2015 further underscores its importance in regional diplomacy.
Following his visit to Brunei, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Singapore on September 4-5, responding to an invitation from Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. This will be Modi’s first visit to Singapore in nearly six years.
During his stay in Singapore, Modi will meet with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and engage with Singaporean leaders. Additionally, he is expected to interact with business leaders to explore new opportunities for collaboration.
The MEA’s Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar noted that the India-Singapore partnership has seen steady growth in trade and investment, robust defence cooperation, and expanding cultural and educational exchanges. The visit aims to build on these achievements and identify new avenues for cooperation under the India-Singapore ministerial roundtable framework.
The visits to Brunei and Singapore highlight India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its relationships in the Indo-Pacific region and advance its strategic objectives through enhanced bilateral engagements.
Sources By Agencies
