With his visit to the tiny Southeast Asian nation of Brunei Darussalam on Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the first-ever bilateral visit to the country by an Indian Prime Minister. Thus, the visit is viewed as an important step in developing the bilateral diplomatic relations that were established 40 years ago between India and Brunei.
This was such a signal honour that Modi was met on arrival by Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah. This warm reception demonstrated that Brunei holds its relations with India in high regard.
The said meeting will also involve other elites of Brunei, including His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, during Prime Minister Modi’s visit. These talks will focus on improving bilateral cooperation across such areas as defense, trade investment, energy, space, health, culture, and people-to-people contacts and capacity building. PM Modi’s visit enhances the new ways to interact and moves the traditional relationship between the two countries to the next level.
In his comment, before he flew to Brunei, Prime Minister Modi was full of optimism that the visit warrants as it marks 40 years of diplomatic relations, saying, “I am looking forward to my meetings with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other members of the Royal family to take forward our historic relations to newer heights. ”
The Ministry of External Affairs observed that this visit would not only enhance existing bilateral cooperation but would expand opportunities for cooperation into new areas that can form a more comprehensive and free bilateral relationship between India and this country.
Preparations of the Indian community in Brunei were anticipating the arrival of the Prime Minister. Some of the participants said, “We have been waiting for his arrival for the past few years, all are very happy. ” A member continued, “I was so excited to see PM Modi today, we proud of him for changes and India is accepted as a world leader.”
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