Prime Minister Modi holds bilateral talks with Brunei's Sultan

Modi 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

PTI

Bandar Seri Begawan, Updated At : 10:24 AM Sep 04, 2024 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. Photo: X@narendramodi

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

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.

“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.

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.