PM Modi in Brunei: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that the ties between India and Brunei have been elevated to an enhanced partnership on the occasion of his historic visit to the Asian country. Putting emphasis on centuries-old cultural ties between India and Brunei, PM Modi thanked the leadership of Brunei for the warm welcome he had received.
"I thank you and the entire royal family for your kind words and warm welcome. On behalf of 140 crore Indians, I extend my wishes to you and all the people of Brunei on the 40th Independence Day. Your Majesty, we (India and Brunei) share centuries-old cultural ties. The basis of our friendship is the great cultural legacy. Our relationship has become stronger every day under your leadership," he said.
This came after PM Modi held talks with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at the Istana Nurul Iman Palace earlier in the day to boost cooperation across key sectors. The two leaders also held delegation-level talks and signed several agreements.
'Support ASEAN centrality, freedom of navigation'
"This year, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. On this occasion, we have decided to elevate our ties to an enhanced partnership. We have discussed on all important issues to give our ties a strategic direction. We are committed to strengthening our economic, scientific and strategic cooperation," he added.
Prime Minister Modi called Brunei a key partner of India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision and recalled the memories of the Sultan's visit to India in 2018. He also announced increased cooperation between the two countries in agriculture, industry, pharma and health as well as technology and cyber security.
"To strengthen our cooperation in the field of space, we have agreed on satellite development, remote sensing and training. Direct linkage will be started soon for connectivity between the two countries. Our people-to-people relationship is the essence of our partnership. I am happy that the Indian community is making a positive contribution to the economy and society of Brunei," he added.
The Prime Minister concluded his remarks by asserting that India has always prioritised the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and will be doing so in the future. "We support freedom of navigation and over flights. We agree for consensus on code of conduct in this area," he said.
PM Modi invites Brunei Sultan to India
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi held talks with Bolkiah at the luxury Istana Nurul Iman palace in Bandar Seri Begawan. He thanked the Sultan for the invitation for the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian PM to Brunei, which reflected India's deep desire to boost relations, according to a statement by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
The two leaders welcomed the elevation of bilateral ties to Enhanced Partnership. The leaders held bilateral talks covering a range of topics including defence, trade and investment, food security, education, energy, space technology, health, capacity building, culture as well as people-to-people exchanges. They agreed to explore and pursue collaboration in areas such as ICT, fintech, cyber security, new and emerging technologies and renewable energy. Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called upon states to repudiate it. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to work closely together in mutually beneficial areas to further strengthen the ASEAN - India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Sultan Bolkiah also appreciated India's support for Brunei Darussalam's efforts in hosting the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing and exchange of an MoU on Cooperation in the operation of Telemetry, Tracking and Telecommand Station for Satellite and Launch Vehicles by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Brunei's Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Shamhary Pengiran Dato Mustapha. They welcomed the upcoming commencement of direct flight connection between Bandar Seri Begawan and Chennai.
After holding talks with Sultan Bolkiah, PM Modi will visit Singapore at the invitation of Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, where the two leaders will review the progress of the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
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