Modi arrives in Brunei on 1st bilateral visit by an Indian PM

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi landed in Brunei on Tuesday for what is the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to the southeast Asian country. Brunei is Modi's first stop in the two-nation trip that will see him travelling also to Singapore.

Modi, whose bilateral engagements are slated for Wednesday, inaugurated the new chancery premises of the Indian high commission and also visited the iconic Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan.

The PM was received at the mosque by religious affairs minister Pehin Dato Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin, and a gathering of Indian community members was also present there to greet him, according to Indian govt. The mosque is named after Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei. Modi has, in the past, visited mosques in Singapore, Oman, Egypt, Indonesia and the UAE.

Modi is visiting Brunei at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. He was received at the airport by Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah.

Before leaving India, Modi said both Brunei and Singapore are important partners in India's Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific Vision. "I am confident that my visits will further strengthen our partnership with Brunei, Singapore and the larger ASEAN region," he said.

On Singapore, Modi said he was looking forward to discussions to deepen 'Strategic Partnership' with Singapore, particularly in new and emerging areas of advanced manufacturing, digitalisation, and sustainable development. A number of MoUs are expected to be signed with both Brunei and Singapore, including one with the latter for cooperation in the semi-conductor sector. The Indian govt said on Monday it's looking to give a thrust to semi-conductor cooperation with Singapore, a global leader in chip manufacturing.

Modi lauded the Indian community in Brunei for their contribution as a living bridge between the two countries and strengthening bilateral ties. "The contribution of Indian doctors and teachers to the growth and development of Brunei's health care and education sectors has been well acknowledged," said the Indian govt.