Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a significant two-nation tour from September 3 to 5, visiting Brunei and Singapore. This trip aims to enhance economic, strategic, and cultural relations with key partners in the Asia-Pacific region. The visit marks a milestone as it includes Modi’s first official trip to Brunei and reinforces ongoing diplomatic engagements with Singapore.
PM Modi’s Historic Visit to Brunei
The visit to Brunei is notable as it will be the first time an Indian Prime Minister has officially traveled to the Southeast Asian nation. This trip will commemorate a significant moment in the 40-year diplomatic relationship between India and Brunei. During this leg of the journey, PM Modi will meet with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, who previously visited India in January 2018 and engaged in the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
PM Modi’s visit underscores the strong ties between India and Brunei, particularly in areas of trade, defense, and cultural exchange. Bilateral trade reached USD 286.2 million in the fiscal year 2023-24, and defense cooperation includes regular exchanges and joint exercises. Indian naval vessels, such as INS Jalashwa and INS Shivalik, have reinforced maritime relations. With approximately 14,000 Indians residing in Brunei, cultural and people-to-people connections are also significant.
Focus on Singapore
Following Brunei, PM Modi will travel to Singapore from September 4 to 5. This will be his fifth visit to Singapore, which remains India’s largest trade partner in ASEAN. Singapore is also a major source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India, with FDI equity inflows totaling USD 11.774 billion in the last fiscal year.
Boosting Economic and Strategic Ties
The economic partnership between India and Singapore is robust, with bilateral trade amounting to USD 36.6 billion in 2022-23. Since April 2000, Singapore has invested a total of USD 159.943 billion in India through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The two countries have collaborated extensively in fintech, evidenced by the linkage of India’s UPI with Singapore’s PayNow in February 2023.
Defense and Collaboration
Defense cooperation between the two nations is also strong, highlighted by recent activities including the Defence Policy Dialogue in New Delhi, participation of the Indian Air Force Sarang Helicopter Display Team in the Singapore Air Show 2024, and the 30th SIMBEX naval exercise. Singapore has also supported skill center projects across several Indian states, and scientific collaboration continues to flourish.
Future Prospects
PM Modi’s visit is timed to coincide with new leadership in Singapore, aiming to usher in a renewed phase of India-Singapore relations. The visit will bolster cooperation in sectors such as defense, trade, investment, energy, space technology, health, and cultural exchanges, while exploring new avenues for collaboration.
On August 26, prominent Indian ministers such as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar took part in the second India-Singapore Ministerial Dialogue (ISMR). The dialogue centered on enhancing collaboration in areas including digital technology, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity, and advanced manufacturing.
This upcoming visit by PM Modi to Brunei and Singapore is set to further strengthen India’s strategic, economic, and cultural bonds with these vital Southeast Asian partners.
(With ANI Inputs)