PM Modi Brunei Visit Live Updates: 'India proud of our athletes', PM Modi calls up Paralympians from Brunei

PM Narendra Modi posts, "After the day’s programmes in Brunei Darussalam, called our Paralympic champions and congratulated them. India is proud of our athletes!"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Chancery premises of the High Commission of India in Brunei today. Prime Minister also interacted with the Indian community members who were present at the inauguration. He appreciated their contribution as a living bridge between the two countries and strengthening bilateral ties: MEA

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at the Brunei International Airport on Tuesday, the Indian community in Brunei was abuzz with excitement.

Members of the vibrant and diverse Indian diaspora in Brunei expressed their enthusiasm and support for PM Modi's visit.

Nashmuddin, a member of the Indian diaspora, said, "We are very happy that the Prime Minister is making this visit. This is the first time any Indian PM is visiting Brunei. The Indian diaspora is pleased. We hope that good things will come out of the visit for both countries."

PM Modi receives a warm welcome from the Indian community upon his arrival in Brunei Darussalam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at a hotel in Brunei's capital Bandar Seri Begawan where he is staying during his visit. Members of the Indian diaspora welcome him here.

R Rajaram, Chairman of the India Heritage Center Advisory Board and Registrar of the National University of Singapore, said, "The trade between India and Singapore is substantial, reflecting Singapore's confidence in India's growth prospects. This demonstrates a strong belief that India's growth will be sustained and will span across multiple sectors. It's not just the Prime Minister who frequently visits Singapore; several Indian ministers also visit often. Singapore is always pleased to welcome them."

As a special gesture, the PM was received in Brunei Darussalam by the Crown Prince, Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah.

"We are expecting a joint statement, which would take stock of the bilateral relations and between both countries. The statement is also expected to cover the key areas of interest between both countries. India also has a space station in Brunei, which helps Isro with some key launches," he said.

Elaborating on the bilateral ties between the two nations, the Indian envoy said the two countries share warm and friendly relations, adding that "exchanges have been deep."

"We have a lot to learn from Singapore in terms of skills. In terms of the region, Singapore has been our pillar of engagement in the ASEAN countries. It gels with our Indo-Pacific strategy," Ambule said.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a visit to Brunei and Singapore, the Congress took a swipe at him on Tuesday, asking when will "our frequent flyer" make a 'humanitarian' visit to the troubled state of Manipur. Prime Minister Modi is visiting Brunei on September 3-4 at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all existing sectors.

He is slated to visit Singapore on September 4-5 at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "The non-biological PM is making what is being billed as a 'historic' visit to Brunei, after which he goes to Singapore. When is our frequent flyer going to make a 'humanitarian' visit to the troubled state of Manipur?"

Alok Amitabh Dimri, the Indian High Commissioner to Brunei, described Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to the country as a significant event, emphasizing the long-standing cultural ties between the two nations. He referred to the visit as "historic," highlighting its importance in the context of bilateral relations.

On Tuesday, PM Modi commenced his journey to Brunei, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Southeast Asian nation.

Speaking to news agency ANI, the Indian envoy said, "Honourable Prime Minister is on a two-day official tour to Brunei Darussalam on 3rd and 4th September. In our four decades of diplomatic relationship, this is the first bilateral official visit by the Prime Minister of India to Brunei Darussalam. It is a historic moment in our bilateral relationship and also for the Indian community in Brunei Darussalam that high-level bilateral engagement between Prime Minister Shri Modi and His Majesty the King is going to take place."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-day visit to Brunei Darussalam and Singapore on Tuesday. He expressed his confidence that his visit would strengthen the partnership between India, Brunei, and Singapore.

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 the Singapore’s vibrant business community: PMO said

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed confidence of advancing India's historical ties with Brunei and deepening its Strategic Partnership with Singapore, as he embarked on a visit to the two countries.

Noting that it will be first ever bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to Brunei Darussalam, he said in his departure statement that he looked forward to his meetings with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other members of the royal family to advance the historical relationship to new heights.
Modi will travel to Singapore on Wednesday.

He said he looked 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.

Modi will also meet leaders of the Singapore's 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 said.

Both countries, he said, are important partners in India's Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific Vision.

He said, "I am confident that my visits would further strengthen our partnership with Brunei, Singapore and the larger ASEAN region

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day visit to Brunei, spanning Tuesday and Wednesday, with a particular emphasis on strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations. Both countries have expressed a strong interest in establishing a joint working group to facilitate collaboration in the defence sector.

In addition to defence, the visit is expected to focus on bolstering energy ties and expanding cooperation in the space sector. India and Brunei have a long-standing diplomatic relationship, which was established in 1984. This year marks a significant milestone as the two countries celebrate the 40th anniversary of their bilateral ties.

Brunei is home to a sizable Indian community, with approximately 14,000 Indians currently residing in the country.

While speaking at a press briefing on Monday, the Secretary East in the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaideep Mazumdar, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Brunei from September 3-4 and Singapore from September 4-5, and this visit comes after six years.

Speaking whether we can expect anything between India and Singapore semi-conductors' cooperation during PM Modi's upcoming Singapore visit, Mazumdar said that India is keen to get into this area and wants to cooperate with Singapore.

"Yes. Singapore is very well-plugged into the global semiconductor ecosystem. It has experience of more than 20 years in this area. This is an area where we are very keen to get into, and already we are seeing how we can cooperate with Singapore. If Singapore is already setting up facilities in India and there will be many other areas of the semiconductor itself which will be discussed and cooperation moved forward during the visit, we expect the visit to really give thrust to this particular area in our cooperation," he said.

Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs, Jaideep Mazumdar, said on Monday, that that discussion on the maritime security will be held with Singaporean leadership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore.

While addressing a special briefing ahead of PM Modi's upcoming visit to Singapore, Mazumdar said that the two nations have congruence of views on maritime security and safety.

Asked whether discussions on maritime security will be held with Singapore leadership, he responded, "On maritime security and safety, ofcourse, you know

Indian High Commissioner to Brunei, Alok Amitabh Dimri on Monday said that the two countries shares warm and friendly relations adding that "exchanges have been deep."
He said that Indian diaspora is deeply entrenched in Brunei, despite the country's small size and economy. He noted that there are many different communities in Brunei, including Tamilians, Malyalis, Sindhis, Punjabis, Marathas, and Gujaratis.

Talking to ANI, Dimri said, "...Our exchanges have been deep. Despite the small economy and geography, the Indian diaspora has been deeply entrenched here... Indians have made deep inroads here...There is a prominent Tamilian community, Malyali community, Sindhis and Punjabis and we also see Marathas and Gujaratis."

Dimri highlighted the unique aspects of Brunei, including its small population and geography, but e

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his upcoming visit to Brunei Darussalam from September 3-4, will engage in discussions on all aspects of bilateral ties and explore new areas for cooperation.

This will be the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei. The visit coincides with 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei.

Addressing a special briefing in the national capital on PM Modi's visit, Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs, Jaideep Mazumdar said that defence constitutes an important pillar of cooperation between India and Brunei and the two countries are working towards establishing a Joint working Group for cooperation in the defence sector.

The Indian community in Brunei is abuzz with excitement as they prepare to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his maiden visit to the Southeast Asian nation, scheduled for September 3-4. The visit is seen as a significant step in bolstering ties between the two nations.

Members of the vibrant and diverse Indian diaspora in Brunei have expressed their enthusiasm and support for PM Modi's visit.

Speaking to ANI, Ramesh Jeewatram Bhavnani, a prominent community member, highlighted the importance of the visit, saying, "The Prime Minister's visit is a testament to his commitment to the Indian community in Brunei. He is coming here for the Indian community that resides here, this is very important."

Bhavnani emphasised the significance of Brunei in Southeast Asia and praised Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah for his fair treatment of all communities in the country.

"Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah treats every community equally; he does not treat anyone differently. We are grateful to our PM who is coming for us. India has always shown the way to the world and PM will come here to guide us. We hope tourism and trade increase between the two countries," he said.