NewsGate Press Network  

During the all important official visits to Brunei and Singapore by the Prime Minister several important bilateral MoUs are expected to be signed.

While in Brunei India’s emphases will be on agreements on hydrocarbons and defence and in Singapore India is expected to embark on a special partnership in the field of semiconductors.

Briefing the media on finer points on the prime minister’s visit, the Secretary East in the MEA (Minister of External Affairs), Jaydeep Mazumdar said that “Brunei is an important partner of India’s Act East Policy, and Indo-Pacific vision. Brunei has been our country coordinator in Asean, and played a key role in our further engagement with ASEAN.”

He said since Brunei is a rich source of hydrocarbons, India is keen to have a more “predictable supply” form Brunei and will be looking at a long-term arrangement with the sultanate with regard to natural gas imports.

Defence is an important pillar in the bilateral relations, he said. In 2016, the two sides had inked a framework for cooperation in defence, which was renewed in 2021 for five years.

The defence cooperation involves regular exchanges at high levels, training. Both sides are working to set up a joint working group in defence.

The PM’s visit to Brunei from Sep 3-4, is the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Southeast Asian nation.

The PM’s visit to Singapore, from Sep 4-5, is the first prime ministerial visit from India after nearly six years.

“The visit comes early in the third term (of PM Modi) and also when a new leader has taken over in Singapore (PM Lawrence Wong). PM Modi’s visit will set the stage for the next stage in bilateral relations,” the Secretary East said.

The two sides last week concluded the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw participating from India, while six ministers participated from the city-state.

The PM’s visit also comes as the two sides mark the 60th anniversary of their ties in 2025 and the 10th year of forming a strategic partnership, the official said.

The recently concluded ministerial roundtable threw up new areas of cooperation in futuristic areas, including digital, sustainability, health, connectivity. “The two sides are likely to exchange a large number of MoUs during the PM’s visit,” Secretary East said.

Singapore is India’s largest trade partner in the Asean and the largest source of FDI.

In 2000 the FDI from Singapore stood at USD160 billion. The PM will be interacting with business leaders, during his visit.

Since Singapore is well into the area of semiconductors, some major agreement is expected in the area during the PM visit.

In Semiconductors, the two sides will examine the aspect of Singapore setting up facilities in India.

“Many other areas in the field of semiconductor will be examined and we expect the visit to give a thrust to this area,” he added.

“We are embarking on relations with Singapore which has expertise in a wide range of ecosystem of semiconductors, in design, fabrication, testing,” he said.

“India-Singapore relations are poised for even greater jump than before. We see our relations taking off to the next stage,” Jaideep Mazumdar added.

PM Modi is visiting Brunei at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. The visit coincides with the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei.

Brunei is an important partner in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy and its vision of Indo-Pacific. The visit will further strengthen our cooperation with Brunei in all existing sectors including defence cooperation, trade & investment, energy, space technology, health cooperation, capacity building, culture as well as people-to-people exchanges and explore avenues for cooperation in newer sectors, a statement said.

In the Singapore leg of his visit, Prime Minister Modi and Singapore PM Lawrence Wong will review the progress of the bilateral Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and interact with the Singaporean leadership. Prime Minister Modi will also meet with business leaders from Singapore.

It may be recalled that diplomatic relations between India and Brunei Darussalam were established on 10 May 1984 and this year marks the 40th anniversary of our diplomatic ties.

The Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah paid State Visits to India in 1992 and 2008 as well as attended the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summits in 2012 and 2018.  In 2018, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah was the Chief Guest for the Republic Day parade along with other ASEAN leaders.

​Presently, there are approximately 14,000 Indians living in Brunei.

A substantial number of doctors and teachers in Brunei are from India and they have garnered goodwill and respect for their contributions to Brunei’s economy and society.