Vikrant Shekhawat : Sep 03, 2024, 07:00 AM
PM Modi Brunei Tour: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Brunei on 3 and 4 September, which is the first visit of the Indian Prime Minister. The visit is taking place on the occasion of the anniversary of 40 years of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei. According to Foreign Ministry Secretary Jaideep Mazumdar, Modi is visiting at the invitation of Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and will then leave for Singapore. At the invitation of Singapore PM Lawrence Wong, PM Modi will visit Singapore on 4 and 5 September.During Modi's visit, important issues like defense, trade, energy, space, technology and health will be discussed between the two countries. The situation in Myanmar is also likely to be discussed with Brunei and Singapore. India and Brunei have recently traded $286.2 million, and an important MoU has been signed between the two countries in the defense sector. This visit of Prime Minister Modi is considered extremely important for India's Act East policy and Indo-Pacific vision.Strong India-Brunei relationsMajumdar said that India and Brunei are working in mutual partnership in many areas like defense, trade and investment, energy, space, technology and health. During his visit, PM Modi will hold bilateral discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations and cooperation with Brunei.MEA said that Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei has invited Prime Minister Modi, there have been very strong relations between the two countries. Earlier, Sultan Haji Hassanal had visited India on a state visit in 1992 and 2008. He also participated in the ASEAN India Summit in 2012 and 2018 and he has also been the chief guest of India on Republic Day in 2018.Which issues will be discussed?The Ministry of External Affairs has said that the situation in Myanmar can also be discussed with Brunei and Singapore. Jaideep Majumdar said that during bilateral talks, there is often discussion about neighboring countries and their situations. Majumdar has said that Singapore and Brunei are part of ASEAN countries and he hopes that the situation in Myanmar will be discussed during PM Modi's visit to Brunei and Singapore.Majumdar said that the relations between the two countries are very strong, both the countries are working in mutual partnership in many areas like defense, trade and investment, energy, space, technology and health. He told that during the Brunei visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold bilateral talks, in which the emphasis will be on promoting bilateral relations and cooperation. At the same time, the Prime Minister will also discuss those new areas where cooperation can be done between the two countries.Important partner in many areas including defenseThe Ministry of External Affairs has informed that there has been a trade of $ 286.2 million between India and Brunei between the financial year 2023-24. The defense sector is a very important pillar between the two countries. According to the MEA, both the countries signed an MoU related to the defense sector in 2016 and it was renewed for 5 years in 2021. The Ministry of External Affairs says that Brunei is an important strategic partner for India's Act East policy and the vision of the Indo-Pacific. Therefore, this visit of Prime Minister Modi is considered very important.