Prime Minister Modi's Historic Visit to Brunei Aims to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Brunei from September 3-4 marks the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian PM. The trip coincides with the 40th anniversary of India-Brunei diplomatic ties and will focus on enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors, particularly in defense.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make a historic visit to Brunei Darussalam from September 3-4, marking the first-ever bilateral trip by an Indian Prime Minister to the Southeast Asian nation. The visit coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei and aims to explore new avenues for cooperation.

During a special briefing, Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs, emphasized the significance of defense cooperation between the two nations. The two countries are working towards establishing a Joint Working Group for defense collaboration. Modi's trip comes at the invitation of Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

The visit underscores the warm and friendly ties between India and Brunei, covering sectors like defense, trade, energy, space, and technology. The Indian diaspora in Brunei, comprising approximately 14,000 people, plays a vital role in Brunei's society. Modi's visit highlights India's Act East Policy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific region, stressing the strategic importance of Brunei as a partner.

(With inputs from agencies.)