Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Brunei from September 3-4, followed by a visit to Singapore from September 4-5, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
During a weekly media briefing, Jaiswal announced that PM Modi’s visit to Brunei comes at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. This visit marks the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei. The visit also coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei.
“Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, is scheduled to visit Brunei Darussalam from September 3rd to 4th, 2024. This will be the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei,” Jaiswal said.
Following the Brunei visit, PM Modi will travel to Singapore at the invitation of Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The visit to Singapore will take place from September 4-5, 2024. Jaiswal mentioned that additional details of the visit would be shared in a press release following the briefing.
Earlier this week, on August 26, several Indian ministers, including Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, and Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, participated in the second India-Singapore Ministerial Dialogue (ISMR). The discussions between the two nations focused on cooperation in areas such as digital innovation, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity, and advanced manufacturing.
In a post on X, Jaishankar described the dialogue as productive, acknowledging the commitment of Singaporean ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo, Minister for Manpower Dr. Tan See Leng, and Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat.
India and Brunei established diplomatic ties on May 10, 1984. The Indian Mission in Brunei was set up on May 18, 1993, prior to which the Indian Mission in Kuala Lumpur was concurrently accredited to Brunei. The two countries enjoy a close relationship, grounded in strong traditional and cultural linkages and shared membership in organizations such as the United Nations, NAM, Commonwealth, and ASEAN. Brunei has consistently supported India’s ‘Look East Policy’ and ‘Act East Policy’ in its efforts to enhance cooperation with ASEAN nations.