On Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for his two-day tour of Brunei and Singapore. Prime Minister Modi will be visiting Brunei on a bilateral basis for the first time ever. The Prime Minister of India is expected to meet with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other distinguished members of the Royal family in order to further strengthen India's ties with Brunei.
PM Modi shares the details
“Today, I am embarking on a first-ever bilateral visit to Brunei Darussalam. As we celebrate the 40 years of our diplomatic relations, I look forward to my meetings with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other esteemed members of the Royal family to advance our historical relationship to new heights."
"From Brunei, I will travel to Singapore on 4 September. I look forward to the opportunity to meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. I will also meet with leaders of Singapore's vibrant business community. I look forward to my discussions to deepen our Strategic Partnership with Singapore, particularly in new and emerging areas of advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development."
He further says - "Both countries are important partners in our Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific Vision. I am confident that my visits would further strengthen our partnership with Brunei, Singapore and the larger ASEAN region"
PM Modi to Engage with the Indian Community
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will engage with the Indian community in Brunei, reinforcing the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. This interaction is intended to further solidify the cultural and social bonds between the people of India and Brunei, emphasizing the shared values and mutual respect that form the foundation of their relationship.
Reports suggest that around 14,500 Indians currently reside in Brunei Darussalam, a nation with a total population of approximately 450,500. Over half of these Indian expatriates are semi-skilled and unskilled workers employed in sectors such as oil and gas, construction, and retail.
Modi’s Embrace of Islamic Cultural Heritage
This visit fits into a larger pattern wherein Prime Minister Modi has embraced important Islamic sites while visiting other countries. In the past, he has paid symbolic visits to the Prophet's mosque in Medina, Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, and the holiest shrine in Islam, Masjid al-Haram in Saudi Arabia. His trip to Kuwait's Grand Mosque in 2021 served as more evidence of his dedication to appreciating and respecting the various religious and cultural contexts he comes across.
It is projected that this visit will mark a turning point in relations between India and Bhutan by demonstrating both countries' shared commitment to forging deeper, more meaningful ties across boundaries and cultures.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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