'Direct Flight Between India & Brunei Soon': PM Modi's Big Announcement After Talks With Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei for a bilateral meeting on wide-ranging topics and discussed trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges.

“I express my heartfelt gratitude to you and the entire Royal Family for your kind words, warm welcome and hospitality. I convey my greetings to you and the people of Brunei on the 40th anniversary of Independence on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians. We have centuries-old cultural ties,” PM Modi said.

“The basis of our friendship is our great cultural tradition. Under your leadership, our relations have been growing stronger day by day. The memories of your visit to India as the Chief Guest on our Republic Day in 2018 are still remembered with great pride by the people of India,” he added.

The Prime Minister further stated, “I am extremely happy that I have had the opportunity to visit Brunei at the beginning of my third term and to discuss the future with you. It is also a happy coincidence that this year we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of our bilateral partnership. Brunei being an important partner in India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision is a guarantee of a bright future for us.”

He said, “India and Brunei have made significant development in Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah’s regime and the two nations celebrate a deeply historical and cultural engagement.” He added that a direct flight between the two nations will be launched soon.

The leaders held talks covering a range of topics including defence, trade & investment, food security, education, energy, space technology, health, capacity building, culture as well as people-to-people exchanges. They agreed to explore and pursue collaboration in areas such as ICT, fintech, cyber security, new and emerging technologies and renewable energy.

The Prime Minister and Sultan also exchanged views on regional and global issues. Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called upon states to repudiate it. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to work closely together in mutually beneficial areas to further strengthen the ASEAN – India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

PM Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to Brunei on a bilateral visit, was welcomed by Sultan Bolkiah and his close family members at the Istana Nurul Iman, which is the official residence of the Sultan, and the seat of the Brunei government.

The two leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of a pact on cooperation in the operation of telemetry, tracking and telecommand station for satellite and launch vehicles by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Brunei’s Minister of Transport and Infocommunications HE Pengiran Dato Shamhary Pengiran Dato Mustapha. The Sultan also hosted an official lunch honouring PM Modi.

“Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges,” Modi said in a post on X.

PM Modi’s historic visit is an important milestone in the 40-year diplomatic relationship between the two countries that enjoy a friendly relationship marked by mutual respect and understanding on bilateral and multilateral issues, officials said.

“Building stronger India-Brunei relations. PM @narendramodi was warmly welcomed at the Istana Nurul Iman by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and his close family members.

Brunei is an important partner in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy and its Vision of the Indo-Pacific,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X along with the photos.

The two countries are linked by history, culture and tradition spanning a millennium, the MEA had said ahead of Modi’s visit to the South East Asian nation.

Earlier on Tuesday, Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to Brunei on a bilateral visit, said he was looking forward to his meetings with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and other members of the royal family “to take the historical relationship to new heights.” The Prime Minister said he was looking forward to strong ties with Brunei, as he arrived here on the first leg of his two-nation trip meant to strengthen cooperation in sectors like defence, trade and investment, energy as well as people-to-people exchanges.

As a special gesture, Modi was received by Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah at the airport. He visited the iconic Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque here and also inaugurated the new chancery premises of the High Commission of India. At both places, he interacted with the Indian diaspora.

From Brunei, Modi will travel to Singapore later on Wednesday.