Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and his family extended a hearty welcome to PM Modi upon his arrival in Brunei.
New Delhi: 4th September 2024
On PM Modi’s visit to Brunei, he met Brunei’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at his official residence, Istana Nurul Iman, to strengthen the relationship between India and Brunei. The Prime Minister participated in bilateral meetings with a view to enhancing ties with the host country while, at the same time, reaffirming New Delhi’s Indo-Pacific vision and the ‘Act East’ policy.
As part of a two-nation visit, PM Modi will visit Singapore later today. After PM Modi’s arrival in Brunei, a genial welcome was extended to him by Sultan Bolkiah and family members of the Bruneian royal family. PM Modi will attend an official luncheon hosted by Sultan Bolkiah.
The Prime Minister took to social media site X to provide details about his meet. Meeting His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah was a true honor. We talked about a variety of subjects, including ways to further strengthen bilateral relations between our two countries, and we will further enhance trade relations, commercial connections, and people-to-people relations,” he wrote.
Prime Minister Modi began his two-day visit to Brunei Darussalam on Tuesday when he landed at Bandar Seri Begawan Airport.
Significance of PM Modi’s Visit to Brunei
The visit of Prime Minister (PM) Modi to Brunei holds great significance owing to the fact that it is the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Southeast Asian State of Brunei. Further, it is the 40th year of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei.
Upon landing and disembarking from the plane, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome, which took place in the presence of Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Crown Prince and Senior Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei.
Indian Community Greet PM Modi In Brunei
After arriving in Brunei, PM Modi also received a warm reception from members of the Indian community at his hotel. Additionally, he visited the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, which is an iconic structure in the region and was named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei, known as the father of the reigning Sultan Bolkiah.
As PM Modi opened the new Chancery of the Indian High Commission in Brunei, the Indian diaspora greeted him warmly. The newly established facility is located within the Jalan Duta Diplomatic Enclave next to the US Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan. PM Modi welcomed the development as a symbol of deep ties between the two nations.
PM Modi also acknowledged the sizable Indian community living in Brunei for their significant contribution to the living bridge established between the two countries and further strengthening the bilateral relationship.
The visit is centered on working out new opportunities for cooperation in many areas, which include defense, trade and investment, energy, space technology, health, capacity building, culture, and robust people-to-people exchanges.