India and Brunei Reaffirm Strong Ties with ‘Enhanced Partnership’

GG News Bureau
Bandar Seri Begawan, 4th Sept. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Brunei Darussalam from September 3 to 4, 2024, culminated in a joint statement affirming an “Enhanced Partnership” between the Republic of India and Brunei Darussalam. This visit marked the first bilateral engagement of an Indian Prime Minister with Brunei, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi was welcomed by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Crown Prince and Senior Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office of Brunei Darussalam. The Sultan of Brunei hosted a bilateral meeting and an official lunch for the Indian leader at the Istana Nurul Iman.

The joint statement highlights several key areas of collaboration:

Defense and Maritime Cooperation: Both nations will enhance defense ties through regular exchanges, joint exercises, and naval cooperation. They also welcomed direct flight connectivity between Bandar Seri Begawan and Chennai to boost people-to-people links.

Trade and Economic Ties: There is a mutual commitment to expand trade and investment, leveraging each country’s strengths in technology, finance, and manufacturing.

Space and Technology: The ongoing cooperation under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on space, including India’s Telemetry Tracking and Telecommand (TTC) Station in Brunei, was reaffirmed.

Climate Change and Sustainability: Both leaders agreed to tackle climate change collaboratively, supporting initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change.

Youth and Education: Greater exchanges and scholarships for Bruneian students under India’s ITEC and e-ITEC programs were endorsed to foster youth development.

The statement underscores the shared commitment to regional peace, stability, and multilateral cooperation, particularly within forums such as ASEAN and the United Nations. Both leaders expressed strong support for a rules-based international order and condemned terrorism, emphasizing the need for joint efforts to combat it.

Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah for a future visit to India, further cementing the enduring partnership between the two countries.