PM Modi Begins 3-Day Visit to Brunei and Singapore
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a three-day official visit to Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, starting September 3.
His visit to Brunei Darussalam, where he is the first-ever Indian Prime Minister to make a bilateral visit, will run from September 3-4 at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Following this, he will travel to Singapore from September 4-5 at the invitation of Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
In his departure statement, PM Modi highlighted the significance of this visit, noting, “Today, I am embarking on a first-ever bilateral visit to Brunei Darussalam. As we celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations, I look forward to engaging with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other members of the Royal family to elevate our historical relationship.”
He further stated, “From Brunei, I will travel to Singapore on September 4. I am eager to meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, as well as leaders from Singapore’s dynamic business community. This visit will focus on deepening our Strategic Partnership with Singapore, particularly in advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development.”
PM Modi emphasized that both Brunei and Singapore are crucial partners in India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision. He expressed confidence that these visits will strengthen India’s partnerships with both countries and the broader ASEAN region.
Last month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Brunei’s Foreign Minister Erywan Pehin Yusof at ASEAN meetings in Vientiane, where they launched the logo celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
PM Modi first met Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at the 25th ASEAN Summit in Nay Pyi Taw in November 2014 and again during the 2017 East Asia Summit in Manila. The Brunei Sultan visited India in January 2018 for the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit and was a Guest of Honour at India’s 69th Republic Day celebrations.
In 2013, then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Brunei for the 11th ASEAN-India Summit and the 8th East Asia Summit.
The Brunei government has supported India’s ‘Look East’ and ‘Act East’ policies. Indian naval and coast guard ships have frequently visited Brunei, and Indian defense companies Bharat Electronics Ltd and MKU Limited participated in Brunei’s Defence Industry Exposition in June 2024, where the Sultan and Crown Prince appreciated their participation.
Currently, about 14,500 Indians live in Brunei, working mainly in the oil and gas, construction, and retail sectors.
Following Brunei, PM Modi’s visit to Singapore will focus on enhancing cooperation in digital technologies, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity, and advanced manufacturing. Recently, Indian ministers led by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar participated in the second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) in Singapore.
