PM Modi ‘delighted’ after meeting Sultan of Brunei: Will further expand ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah today.

At the Istana Nurul Iman, the latter’s official residence in capital Bandar Seri Begawan, on the second day of his visit to the Southeast Asian nation.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister said “the talks were wide-ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations”.

After the meeting, delegation level talks are scheduled to take place, followed by the signing and exchange of memoranda between the two sides.

Later in the day, the Prime Minister will leave for Singapore as part of his two-nation tour, followed by a lunch hosted by the Sultan.

This is the first ever visit by an Indian head of state to Brunei despite the two nations maintaining diplomatic ties for the past 40 years.

On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Modi visited Brunei’s iconic Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan. It was built by Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei and father of the incumbent Sultan.

Members of the Indian community were also present at the mosque to greet the Prime Minister.

Earlier on Tuesday, he also inaugurated the new Chancery of the High Commission of India.

In Singapore, the PM is scheduled to meet his counterpart Lawrence Wong and call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. He will also interact with business leaders.

On Wednesday night, he will attend a dinner hosted by Lawrence Wong.