New Delhi:

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aim to deepen ties and enhance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrives in India on an official visit on September 9-10.

Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince is visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This would be his first visit to New Delhi as the Crown Prince.

He is being accompanied by top ministers from the UAE as well as a business delegation, the Ministry of External Affairs has said.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi – the next King – will meet PM Narendra Modi on Monday. It is the first time India is officially engaging with the next generation of royalty and government from the UAE, highlighting the importance India gives to its ties with the UAE.

Apart from his meeting with PM Modi, the Crown Prince will also call on President Droupadi Murmu.

THE CROWN PRINCE’S SCHEDULE

On September 9, the Crown Prince’s day will begin with a visit to Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

Later in the day, the Crown Prince will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the two leaders would hold discussions on a wide range of areas concerning bilateral cooperation. This would likely be followed by a joint press conference where several agreements or MoUs will be exchanged.

Besides bilateral issues, the two leaders are also expected to have a detailed discussion on the overall situation arising out of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Crown Prince will also call on President Droupadi Murmu at the Rastrapati Bhavan.

On September 10, the Crown Prince will visit Mumbai to participate in a Business Forum, in which top business leaders from both countries will participate.

INDIA-UAE PARTNERSHIP

Since the landmark visit by PM Modi to UAE in August 2015, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 34 years, bilateral relations between the two countries have elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Both countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or CEPA in February 2022 and a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023 to promote the use of Indian Rupee and AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham) for cross-border transactions.

India is the UAE’s second-largest trading partner, while the UAE is India’s largest trading partner in the Arab world. Total trade between India and the UAE is projected to reach USD 100 billion by the end of the decade. The bilateral trade between the two countries in 2022-23 was about USD 85 billion, according to official data.

The UAE is also among the top four investors in India in terms of Foreign Direct Investments or FDI in 2022-23.

“India and UAE share historically close and friendly ties. In recent years, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and UAE has deepened in a wide range of areas, including political, trade, investment, connectivity, energy, technology, education, and culture,” the MEA said.

“The Crown Prince’s visit will further reinforce strong India-UAE bilateral relations and open avenues for partnership in new and emerging areas,” it added.

The Indian community, which numbers over 3.5 million, plays an essential role in the UAE. Their contributions to the economy and cultural landscape of the UAE underscores the deep connections between the nations.

The UAE was a special invitee for the G20 Summit in New Delhi during India’s Presidency.

With India’s active support, the UAE also joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO as dialogue partner in May 2023. The UAE also joined the BRICS forum as a member on January 1 with India’s support.

In 2023, the India-UAE-France (UFI) trilateral was also formally launched.

The UAE is the fifth-largest supplier of crude oil to India, accounting for around 8% of India’s total crude imports. It also ranks first among destinations for India’s exports in the West Asia region.

As a significant player in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation or OIC grouping, the UAE’s support is crucial for India in navigating regional challenges, particularly concerning its relations with Pakistan.

The Crown Prince, Sheikh Khaled’s visit underscores the UAE’s commitment to deepening economic and strategic ties with India. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in India-UAE relations, characterised by collaboration and opportunity.

RECENT VISIT, STRENGTHENING TIES

In February this year, PM Modi went for an official visit to the UAE, where he held discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the India-UAE bilateral relationship and witnessed the exchange of eight agreements.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 63, is the father of the Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 42, who is visiting India this week.

PM Modi and President Al Nahyan welcomed the MoU for creation of an inter-governmental framework between India and the UAE on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, also called IMEEC, which reflected the lead taken by the UAE and India in furthering regional connectivity.

The two leaders further endorsed the efforts from both sides to strengthen the strong economic and commercial cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration. They welcomed the strong growth witnessed in the UAE-India trade relations since the entry into force of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

During his visit, PM Modi inaugurated the majestic Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The temple is located in Abu Dhabi’s Abu Mureikhah district. The grand temple, built on a 27-acre campus, the land for which, was gifted by the UAE government.

He also addressed the Indian community at an event titled ‘Ahlan Modi’, which was attended by over 65,000 people.
 

New Delhi:

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aim to deepen ties and enhance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrives in India on an official visit on September 9-10.

Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince is visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This would be his first visit to New Delhi as the Crown Prince.

He is being accompanied by top ministers from the UAE as well as a business delegation, the Ministry of External Affairs has said.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi – the next King – will meet PM Narendra Modi on Monday. It is the first time India is officially engaging with the next generation of royalty and government from the UAE, highlighting the importance India gives to its ties with the UAE.

Apart from his meeting with PM Modi, the Crown Prince will also call on President Droupadi Murmu.

THE CROWN PRINCE’S SCHEDULE

On September 9, the Crown Prince’s day will begin with a visit to Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

Later in the day, the Crown Prince will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the two leaders would hold discussions on a wide range of areas concerning bilateral cooperation. This would likely be followed by a joint press conference where several agreements or MoUs will be exchanged.

Besides bilateral issues, the two leaders are also expected to have a detailed discussion on the overall situation arising out of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Crown Prince will also call on President Droupadi Murmu at the Rastrapati Bhavan.

On September 10, the Crown Prince will visit Mumbai to participate in a Business Forum, in which top business leaders from both countries will participate.

INDIA-UAE PARTNERSHIP

Since the landmark visit by PM Modi to UAE in August 2015, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 34 years, bilateral relations between the two countries have elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Both countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or CEPA in February 2022 and a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023 to promote the use of Indian Rupee and AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham) for cross-border transactions.

India is the UAE’s second-largest trading partner, while the UAE is India’s largest trading partner in the Arab world. Total trade between India and the UAE is projected to reach USD 100 billion by the end of the decade. The bilateral trade between the two countries in 2022-23 was about USD 85 billion, according to official data.

The UAE is also among the top four investors in India in terms of Foreign Direct Investments or FDI in 2022-23.

“India and UAE share historically close and friendly ties. In recent years, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and UAE has deepened in a wide range of areas, including political, trade, investment, connectivity, energy, technology, education, and culture,” the MEA said.

“The Crown Prince’s visit will further reinforce strong India-UAE bilateral relations and open avenues for partnership in new and emerging areas,” it added.

The Indian community, which numbers over 3.5 million, plays an essential role in the UAE. Their contributions to the economy and cultural landscape of the UAE underscores the deep connections between the nations.

UAE was a special invitee for the G20 Summit in New Delhi during India’s Presidency.

With India’s active support, the UAE also joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or SCO as dialogue partner in May 2023. The UAE also joined the BRICS forum as a member on January 1 with India’s support.

In 2023, the India-UAE-France (UFI) trilateral was also formally launched.

UAE is the fifth-largest supplier of crude oil to India, accounting for around 8% of India’s total crude imports. It also ranks first among destinations for India’s exports in the West Asia region.

As a significant player in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation or OIC grouping, the UAE’s support is crucial for India in navigating regional challenges, particularly concerning its relations with Pakistan.

The Crown Prince, Sheikh Khaled’s visit underscores the UAE’s commitment to deepening economic and strategic ties with India. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in India-UAE relations, characterised by collaboration and opportunity.

RECENT VISIT, STRENGTHENING TIES

In February this year, PM Modi went for an official visit to the UAE, where he held discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the India-UAE bilateral relationship and witnessed the exchange of eight agreements.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 63, is the father of the Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 42, who is visiting India this week.

PM Modi and President Al Nahyan welcomed the MoU for creation of an inter-governmental framework between India and the UAE on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, also called IMEEC, which reflected the lead taken by the UAE and India in furthering regional connectivity.

The two leaders further endorsed the efforts from both sides to strengthen the strong economic and commercial cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration. They welcomed the strong growth witnessed in the UAE-India trade relations since the entry into force of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

During his visit, PM Modi inaugurated the majestic Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The temple is located in Abu Dhabi’s Abu Mureikhah district. The grand temple, built on a 27-acre campus, the land for which, was gifted by the UAE government.

He also addressed the Indian community at an event titled ‘Ahlan Modi’, which was attended by over 65,000 people.
 

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Brunei on Tuesday, receiving a warm reception from Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah. Mr Modi is the first Indian PM to pay a state visit to Brunei where he will hold talks with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other members of the royal family. His Next stop is Singapore.

The Prime Minister’s two-nation trip aims to strengthen India’s ties with Southeast Asian countries.

Here are some facts on the Brunei crown Prince, Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah

1. Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah was proclaimed the crown Prince of Brunei on August 10, 1998, and presented with the Keris Si Naga, a golden dagger. The Keris Si Naga, also known as the Dragon’s Dagger, is necessary for a successor to claim the throne and for their coronation. As Crown Prince, he serves as Deputy Sultan when his father is away and holds various positions, including Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, General in the Brunei Armed Forces, Deputy Inspector General of the Royal Brunei Police Force, and Head of the National Disaster Management Committee.

2. In 2004, the Crown Prince married 17-year-old Pengiran Anak Sarah. After the wedding, they drove around Brunei’s capital in a golden-topped Rolls-Royce. The royal couple have four children. They welcomed their first child, Pengiran Muda Abdul Muntaqim, on March 17, 2007. He will inherit the Brunei throne.

3. He is known for his impressive collection of luxury vehicles, including a Ferrari 599 GTB, Mercedes McLaren SLR, and Lamborghini Murcielago LP640. 

4. Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah competed in the 2007 World Pool Championship. He has a passion for pool and snooker.

5. The Crown Prince owns Brunei DPMM FC, a leading football club in the country. He has also played as a goalkeeper for the team.

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited the renowned Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Brunei, during his two-day visit to the nation. His visit to Brunei is aimed at bolstering bilateral ties between the two countries.

PM Modi’s visit to the mosque, considered one of the most iconic structures in the region, came shortly after the inauguration of a new Chancery of the Indian High Commission.

The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei – the father of the current Sultan, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, and is considered as the Architect of Modern Brunei.

PM Modi also interacted with the local officials, scholars and members of the Indian community who had gathered in large numbers.

The new Chancery of the Indian High Commission in Brunei was launched by Prime Minister Modi to a rousing welcome by members of the Indian community. The new facility, which has come up at the Jalan Duta Diplomatic Enclave, is adjacent to the US Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval were present on the occasion as the PM lit a lamp and unveiled a plaque at the launch.

After the launch, The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that “The chancery complex embodies a profound sense of Indianness, masterfully integrating traditional motifs and lush tree plantations. The use of elegant claddings and durable Kota stones further enhances its aesthetic appeal, harmoniously blending classic and contemporary elements. The design not only pays homage to India’s rich cultural heritage but also creates a tranquil and inviting atmosphere.”

PM Modi arrived at the Bandar Seri Begawan Airport Tuesday afternoon as he began his two-day visit to Brunei Darussalam – the first-ever bilateral trip by an Indian PM to the southeast Asian nation – at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

The historic visit of the Prime Minister coincides with the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei.

(Inputs from IANS)
 

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited the renowned Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Brunei, during his two-day visit to the nation. His visit to Brunei is aimed at bolstering bilateral ties between the two countries.

PM Modi’s visit to the mosque, considered one of the most iconic structures in the region, came shortly after the inauguration of a new Chancery of the Indian High Commission.

The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei – the father of the current Sultan, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, and is considered as the Architect of Modern Brunei.

PM Modi also interacted with the local officials, scholars and members of the Indian community who had gathered in large numbers.

The new Chancery of the Indian High Commission in Brunei was launched by Prime Minister Modi to a rousing welcome by members of the Indian community. The new facility, which has come up at the Jalan Duta Diplomatic Enclave, is adjacent to the US Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval were present on the occasion as the PM lit a lamp and unveiled a plaque at the launch.

After the launch, The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that “The chancery complex embodies a profound sense of Indianness, masterfully integrating traditional motifs and lush tree plantations. The use of elegant claddings and durable Kota stones further enhances its aesthetic appeal, harmoniously blending classic and contemporary elements. The design not only pays homage to India’s rich cultural heritage but also creates a tranquil and inviting atmosphere.”

PM Modi arrived at the Bandar Seri Begawan Airport Tuesday afternoon as he began his two-day visit to Brunei Darussalam – the first-ever bilateral trip by an Indian PM to the southeast Asian nation – at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

The historic visit of the Prime Minister coincides with the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei.

(Inputs from IANS)
 

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Bandar Seri Begawan Airport this afternoon as he began a two-day visit to Brunei Darussalam – the first ever bilateral trip by an Indian PM to the southeast Asian nation – at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

“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,” said PM Modi in his departure statement ahead of his visit to Brunei Darussalam and Singapore.

During his visit, the Prime Minister will engage in bilateral discussions focusing on exploring new areas for cooperation in multiple areas like defence, trade and investment, energy, space technology, health, capacity building, culture and vibrant people-to-people exchanges.

Last month, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar had met Erywan Pehin Yusof, Foreign Minister of Brunei on the sidelines of ASEAN meetings in Vientiane and jointly launched the logo celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Brunei Sultan met for the first time on the sidelines of 25th ASEAN Summit at Nay Pyi Taw in November 2014. They met once again during the 2017 East Asia Summit held in Manila.

In January 2018, the Brunei Sultan, along with the 10 ASEAN Heads of State and Government, visited India for the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit. The leaders were also ‘Guests of Honour’ at India’s 69th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2018.

In 2013, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Brunei Darussalam to participate in the 11th ASEAN-India Summit and the 8th EAS Summit.

Crowned as the 29th Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in August 1968, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah undertook his first State Visit to India in September, 1992. His second State Visit to India came in May, 2008.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Brunei Darussalam government has been supportive of India’s ‘Look East’ and ‘Act East’ policies for expansion and deepening of cooperation with ASEAN.

“Brunei is an important partner for India’s Act East Policy and our vision for the Indo-Pacific, and as we mark a decade of our ‘Act East’ Policy this year, the visit assumes additional significance. Brunei has been our country coordinator in ASEAN from 2012 to 2015 and played a key role in our further engagements with ASEAN and continues to do so today,” Jaideep Mazumdar, MEA Secretary (East), said ahead of the PM’s landmark visit.

Indian naval and coast guard ships have also regularly visited Brunei and two Indian defence companies – Bharat Electronics Ltd and MKU Limited – participated in the Defence Industry Exposition organised by Brunei Armed Forces in June 2024 for the first time. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah visited the Indian stalls during the expo and appreciated the Indian companies’ participation.

There are currently around 14,500 Indians living in Brunei Darussalam out of the total population of about 450,500 with more than half of the Indian expatriates being semi and unskilled workers, who work in oil and gas industries construction, retail businesses, etc. There is also a substantial number of Indian doctors and teachers working in Brunei.

After Brunei, PM Modi will travel to Singapore – a country with which India is exploring enhanced cooperation in digital, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity and advanced manufacturing areas.

In his departure statement on Tuesday, PM Modi said that he is looking forward to meeting Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong besides the 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. 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,” said Prime Minister Modi.

Last week, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw led the Indian delegation at the second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) held in Singapore on Monday.

During their visit, the Indian ministerial delegation also jointly called on Singapore Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong who had led the Singapore delegation for the first ISMR held in New Delhi in September 2022.

“Glad that progress has been made on several fronts since our last meeting. And new ideas for cooperation are being pursued, including in advanced manufacturing and connectivity. These initiatives will pave the way for closer strategic cooperation and partnership between India and Singapore,” the Singapore PM said after his meeting with the visiting Indian ministers on Monday.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Bandar Seri Begawan:

Indian High Commissioner to Brunei, Alok Amitabh Dimri termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the nation “historic” and said the two nations have been civilizational neighbours.

PM Modi embarked on the visit to Brunei on Tuesday. Notably, this is the first visit by an Indian PM to the nation.

He is expected to hold high-level engagements with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other members of the Royal Family.

Speaking to 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.”

He further opened up on the influence of Indian culture in Brunei and said India shares deep historical roots and bonds with Southeast Asia.

“This visit is historic in many ways that Brunei and India have been civilizational neighbours as you know that India shares deep historical roots and bonds with Southeast Asia. The Malayan tradition of this geography which is located in the Borneo Island of Southeast Asian Seas derives deep linkages be it, linguistic, anthropological, ethnic, architectural, religious motives, customs and traditions, norms from India, South India, including words say for example ‘deerghayu’, ‘anugrahhariguru’,” he said.

“There are co-traditions where the Indian manner of greeting the namaskar and pranam is the official manner of greeting the His Majesty,” Mr Dimri added.

Speaking on the outcomes of the Prime Minister’s visit, the High Commissioner said a joint statement and the signing of MoUs are expected.

“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.”

He said that the Indian diaspora is deeply entrenched in Brunei, despite the country’s small size and economy. He further noted that there are many different communities in Brunei, including Tamilians, Malyalis, Sindhis, Punjabis, Marathas, and Gujaratis.

“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.”

Mr Dimri highlighted the unique aspects of Brunei, including its small population and geography, but emphasized that the country’s Indian community has made significant contributions.

“We have to understand the geographies first. This is a very small geography with a population of 4,00,000 people… We call it a subcontinent, but we are a continent-sized country… So there are those imbalances. But then relations never come with the conditions, as I shared with you, that our exchanges have been deep. And despite the small geography and the economy, the Indian traders, exports and Indian diaspora have been deeply entrenched here,” the High Commissioner said.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will engage in bilateral discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations and cooperation with Brunei and explore new areas of collaboration.

Brunei is an important partner in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific.

Following the first leg of his visit, PM Modi will travel to Singapore for the second leg of his visit from September 4-5.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will become the first-ever Indian PM to visit Brunei when he travels to the country on September 3 and 4 for a bilateral visit. This is being seen as a significant step in bolstering ties between the two nations.

“PM Modi at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is scheduled to visit Brunei during September 3-4. This will be the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian PM to Brunei,” the Ministry of External Affairs said at the special briefing about the Prime Minister’s visit.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit coincides with 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei.

PM Modi was earlier scheduled to attend the sixth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) – scheduled to take place in Bangkok on September 3, 4 – which was postponed last week due to the formation of the new government in the country.

PM Modi’s visit to Brunei comes almost ten years after his first meeting with the Sultan of Hassanal Bolkiah in November 2014 on the sidelines of 25th ASEAN Summit in Myanmar. They met again during the 2017 East Asia Summit held in the Philippines.

In July, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met his Brunei counterpart in Laos on the sidelines of ASEAN meetings. To celebrate the 40 years of diplomatic relations, the two also launched a logo together.

PM Modi’s visit will focus on enhancing trade ties, and bolster cooperation in the space and defence sectors. India already has multiple agreements with Brunei in the space sector and also has a telemetry station in the country. The PM’s visit will help strengthen cooperation in this regard, the MEA said.

India and Brunei also look to enhance ties in energy security in terms of crude oil and hydrocarbons.

Currently India imports $270 million worth of crude oil from Brunei. Brunei has also played a key role in bringing India closer to ASEAN being the Country Coordinator for India from 2012 till 2015. Brunei has been supportive of India’s ‘Act East Policy’.

On defence, the MEA said, “We are still in discussions with Brunei to set up a joint working group on defence.”

Indian naval and coast guard ships have regularly visited Brunei and two Indian defence companies – Bharat Electronics Ltd and MKU Limited – participated in the Defence Industry Exposition organised by Brunei Armed Forces in June 2024 for the first time. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah visited the Indian stalls during the expo and appreciated the Indian companies’ participation.

As per the MEA, there are currently around 14,500 Indians living in Brunei Darussalam out of the total population of about 450,500 with more than half of the Indian expatriates being semi and unskilled workers, who work in oil and gas industries construction, retail businesses.
 

New Delhi:

The Union Women and Child Development Minister has responded to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s second letter, seeking a stringent law and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes such as rape and murder.

Ms Banerjee in her second letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sought a mandatory provision for time-bound disposal of rape and murder cases. The two letters came amid the CBI investigation into the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The BJP had called her a “liar” over her letters, and questioned her over why she has not done anything to ensure implementation of existing “stringent” rules and regulations to protect women in her state.

“With regard to the information contained in your letter about the status of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) and exclusive POCSO courts in West Bengal, I may mention that according to information received from the Calcutta High Court, West Bengal has established 88 Fast Track Courts (FTCs), which are not the same as the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) covered under the Central Government Scheme…” Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi said in her response to Ms Banerjee.

“… ln spite of pendency of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases in West Bengal, the state has not operationalised additional 11 FTSCs which may be exclusive POCSO courts or combined FTSCs dealing with both rape and POCSO cases, as per the state’s requirement. As may be seen, the information contained in your letter in this regard is factually incorrect and appears to be a step in the direction to cover up the delays in operationalizing the FTSCs by the state,” Ms Devi said.

 BJP co-incharge for West Bengal Amit Malviya has also questioned the Bengal Chief Minister over not doing enough to ensure rules and regulations to protect women and girls are strictly followed.

“It is incumbent on Mamata Banerjee to explain why the West Bengal government hasn’t done anything for implementing the stringent rules and regulations, which exist for protecting women and girls,” Mr Malviya said in a post on X. “Stop writing letters. Answer the questions. You are accountable,” he added.

On Ms Banerjee’s demand for permanent judicial officers in FTSCs, instead of only retired judicial officers as prescribed in the FTSC scheme guidelines, the Women and Child Development Minister said, “… I may inform you that the scheme guidelines clearly provide for one judicial officer and seven staff to work exclusively for disposal of Rape and POCSO Act cases. Hence, additional charge of FTSCs cannot be given to any permanent judicial officer or court staff. This position was clarified earlier to the state of West Bengal…”

The rape and murder of the junior doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has sparked outrage across the nation, with doctors and others in the medical profession calling for fundamental reforms to ensure dignity and security at their workplace.

The Trinamool Congress has alleged the BJP has politicised the incident. The BJP has, however, pointed the finger back at Ms Banerjee’s party with allegations that the medical college was ridden with insidious corruption.

The college’s former principal Sandip Ghosh is under investigation. The Central Bureau of Investigation has also arrested the key suspect Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, who was seen on CCTV outside the seminar room of the hospital where the junior doctor’s body was found.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Singapore in the first week of September, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Friday. The visit will be crucial in further strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

“PM Modi will visit Singapore on September 4 and September 5, 2024, at the invitation of the PM, his excellency Lawrence Wong,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

“The leaders will review the progress of India–Singapore Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. During the visit, Prime Minister will call on President of Singapore H.E. Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam and interact with Singaporean leadership. Prime Minister will also meet with business leaders from Singapore,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.

PM Modi’s Singapore visit was previously mentioned by Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan after senior ministers of India and Singapore concluded a high-level meeting to further their strategic ties.

A four-member Indian delegation, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Railways and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, recently attended the second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) in Singapore.

“A country with more than 1.4 billion people is now embarking on a major upgrade of its aviation sector. This is a once in a two, three-decade opportunity, and it’s good that we are, in a sense, in the front seat and have a chance (to collaborate),” said Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan after the meeting.

During the multi-ministerial meeting, the two countries covered how to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as digital technology, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity, and manufacturing.

“Glad that progress has been made on several fronts since our last meeting. And new ideas for cooperation are being pursued, including in advanced manufacturing and connectivity. These initiatives will pave the way for closer strategic cooperation and partnership between India and Singapore,” said Singapore PM Lawrence Wong after meeting the Indian ministers on Monday.

In 2023-24, bilateral trade between India and Singapore was $35.61 billion, making Singapore India’s sixth largest global trade partner. 

PM Modi will be visiting Singapore after a visit to Brunei on September 3-4. PM Modi’s visit to Brunei will be the “first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian PM to Brunei and will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei,” says Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

“These visits will further strengthen India’s cooperation with Brunei and Singapore both bilaterally and within the regional and multilateral frameworks,” said the Ministry of External Affairs.