PM Modi to embark on official visits to Brunei and Singapore today | What is on Agenda?
PTC Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on official visits to Brunei and Singapore starting Tuesday, September 3. PM Modi's visit to Brunei, scheduled for September 3-4, marks the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Southeast Asian nation. This visit is particularly significant as it coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei.
In a tweet on Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his enthusiasm about the visit: “Over the next two days, I will be visiting Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. During the various engagements in these nations, the focus will be on further deepening India’s ties with them. India-Brunei Darussalam diplomatic ties complete 40 glorious years. I look forward to meeting His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.”
Over the next two days, will be visiting Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. During the various engagements in these nations, the focus will be on further deepening India’s ties with them.
India-Brunei Darussalam diplomatic ties complete 40 glorious years. I look forward to… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 3, 2024
According to Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Prime Minister’s visit will focus on strengthening bilateral relations across multiple sectors. “We share a very warm and friendly relationship with Brunei, covering areas such as defence, trade and investment, energy, space, technology, health, capacity building, culture, and people-to-people exchanges,” Mazumdar stated.
Brunei holds a strategic role in India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and the Indo-Pacific vision. This year marks a decade of India’s Act East Policy, adding additional importance to Modi’s visit. Brunei was India's Country Coordinator in ASEAN from 2012 to 2015 and continues to play a pivotal role in ASEAN engagements.
The Indian diaspora in Brunei, comprising approximately 14,000 people, includes a significant number of doctors and teachers who have contributed positively to Brunei’s economy and society. Their presence highlights the close ties between the two nations
Singapore Visit: Focusing on Trade and Cooperation
Following his visit to Brunei, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Singapore on September 4-5 at the invitation of Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. This visit, Modi’s first to Singapore in nearly six years, will involve high-level discussions with Singaporean leaders including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
During his time in Singapore, PM Modi will also engage with business leaders to explore opportunities for enhancing economic cooperation. The MEA’s Secretary (East), Jaideep Mazumdar, highlighted the steady growth in trade and investment flows between India and Singapore. “We have a robust defence cooperation and growing exchanges in culture and education. We have identified new anchors of our partnership under the India-Singapore ministerial roundtable framework,” Mazumdar said.
Modi’s visit is expected to reinforce the strong bilateral relationship and explore new avenues for collaboration, particularly in trade and investment. The interaction with business leaders aims to bolster economic ties and address potential areas for growth in the bilateral partnership.
- With inputs from agencies
