Prime Minister Modi Embarks on Historic Visit to Brunei and Singapore
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a three-day official visit to Brunei Darussalam and Singapore on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in India’s diplomatic engagement with the ASEAN region.
PM Modi’s visit to Brunei Darussalam, scheduled from September 3-4, is historic as he becomes the first Indian Prime Minister to undertake a bilateral visit to the Southeast Asian nation. The visit, which coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei, is expected to enhance bilateral ties and explore new avenues of cooperation. In his departure statement, PM Modi expressed his anticipation for fruitful discussions with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other members of the Brunei Royal family, aiming to elevate the historical relationship between the two nations.
Following his visit to Brunei, PM Modi will travel to Singapore from September 4-5 at the invitation of Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During his Singapore visit, PM Modi is scheduled to meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. He will also engage with leaders from Singapore’s business community to advance the Strategic Partnership between the two countries, focusing on areas such as advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development.
PM Modi highlighted the importance of both Brunei and Singapore as key partners in India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision. He expressed confidence that his visits would further strengthen India’s partnerships with these nations and enhance cooperation within the broader ASEAN region.
In recent developments, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Brunei’s Foreign Minister Erywan Pehin Yusof during the ASEAN meetings in Vientiane last month, marking the launch of the 40th-anniversary logo celebrating diplomatic relations between India and Brunei. The previous interactions between the leaders include their meetings on the sidelines of the 25th ASEAN Summit in Nay Pyi Taw in November 2014 and the 2017 East Asia Summit in Manila. The Brunei Sultan and other ASEAN leaders were also guests of honor at India’s 69th Republic Day celebrations in January 2018.
The relationship between India and Brunei has seen steady growth, with recent Indian naval and coast guard ship visits and participation by Indian defence companies in Brunei’s Defence Industry Exposition. Additionally, the Brunei government’s support for India’s ‘Look East’ and ‘Act East’ policies has facilitated increased cooperation.
Following his engagements in Brunei and Singapore, PM Modi’s visit underscores India’s commitment to deepening ties with ASEAN partners and expanding collaborative opportunities in various sectors.
