PM Modi Embarks on Historic Trip to Brunei to Boost Diplomatic Relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Brunei marks 40 years of diplomatic relations. The trip aims to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors and explore new areas of cooperation. Modi will meet with Brunei's leadership before continuing to Singapore, underlining India's commitment to its 'Act East' policy.

 For the first time in the history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Brunei Darussalam on Tuesday on the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Southeast Asian nation. This historic journey is taking place at the backdrop of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei, which marks a new phase in the bilateral relations. 

 On arrival, PM Modi was welcomed by Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, which shows the importance of this visit. The prime minister’s schedule involves meetings with the highest authorities of Brunei, including His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, to further enhance the bilateral relations to a new level. 

 The visit is likely to enhance the bilateral relations in different fields such as defense, trade, investment, energy, space, and health. Further, the discussions will also focus on the possibilities of cooperation in new areas of development and will underline the complex nature of the India-Brunei relations. 

 Before leaving for the United States, Modi said he was looking forward to the trip and stressed that the event would mark 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the visit’s benefits in terms of enhancing the existing cooperation and identifying new spheres for it. 

 The Indian community in Brunei was looking forward to the arrival of the prime minister, and people within the community were happy and proud. Some mentioned that Modi has done a good job in raising India’s profile in the world as something that inspired them. 

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 After his interactions in Brunei, PM Modi is set to travel to Singapore where he will be meeting with the President of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam and the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lawrence Wong. These two consecutive visits show India’s seriousness towards its ‘Act East’ policy which is focused on enhancing relations with the ASEAN countries. 

 While PM Modi is on this diplomatic tour, the visits to Brunei and Singapore are expected to strengthen the strategic relations of India in the region and promote economic ties and cultural relations and also to assert the growing power of India on the international level.