Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Visit to Brunei

Updated : 5th Sep 2024

On September 3, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Brunei Darussalam for an official visit. This is his first visit to the capital of this Southeast Asian nation, Bandar Seri Begawan. The visit also marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between India and Brunei.

Key Highlights of the Visit:

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the new office of the Indian High Commission and visited the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque.
A joint working group will be established to enhance defense relations between India and Brunei.
PM Modi appreciated Brunei's collaboration in hosting ISRO's Telemetry Tracking and Telecommand (TTC) station.
Both countries discussed the possibility of long-term cooperation in the supply of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).

Importance of Brunei for India:

Under India’s 'Act East' policy, strengthening relations with Southeast Asian countries is a priority, and Brunei, being a member of ASEAN, plays an important role in this policy.

Southeast Asian countries, especially Brunei, have seen rapid economic growth. The trade between India and Brunei was approximately $286 million last year. Brunei is a major producer of oil and gas, which is crucial for India’s energy security.
India’s trade routes pass through the South China Sea, a disputed region. Brunei claims a part of this region but has focused on enhancing trade relations with China.
Brunei has maintained good trade relations with China. India, with Brunei’s support, can advance its ‘China Plus One’ strategy, which means India is looking to increase investments in countries other than China.
Indian presence in Brunei dates back to the 1920s, and today there are around 14,000 Indians in Brunei, contributing significantly to the healthcare and education sectors.