Modi’s Historic Visit to Brunei: Strengthening Ties on 40th Anniversary

New Delhi : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a significant visit to Brunei and Singapore, marking his first-ever bilateral visit to Brunei Darussalam. This trip is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei.

Before departing, PM Modi emphasized the importance of this visit, stating, “As we celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations, I look forward to my meetings with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other esteemed members of the Royal family to elevate our historical relationship to new heights.”

After his visit to Brunei, PM Modi is scheduled to travel to Singapore on September 4, where he will engage with key leaders, including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. He will also meet with leaders from Singapore’s business community.

In anticipation of his meetings in Singapore, PM Modi expressed his intent to deepen the Strategic Partnership between the two nations, particularly in emerging areas such as advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development. He highlighted that both Brunei and Singapore are vital partners in India’s Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific Vision.

The visit to Brunei comes at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and underscores the growing cooperation between India and Brunei in various sectors, including defense, trade, energy, space technology, health, and culture. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has emphasized that this visit will open new avenues for collaboration.

India and Brunei formally established diplomatic ties in 1984, shortly after Brunei gained independence. Over the decades, the relationship has strengthened through cultural linkages and shared memberships in international organizations such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the Commonwealth.

PM Modi’s visit to Singapore, his first in six years, comes at a critical time as both countries seek to expand their partnership in areas such as trade, technology, and defense. Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary East at the MEA, noted that the visit is crucial for enhancing trade and investment, especially as Singapore remains India’s largest trading partner within ASEAN and ranks as the sixth-largest trade partner globally.