PM Modi’s Brunei visit: Sultan Bolkiah all set to extend warm welcome
Updated: Sep 3rd, 2024
Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah is set to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his inaugural bilateral visit to the South Asian nation. This visit marks a significant milestone as Prime Minister Modi embarks on his first official trip to Brunei, a nation bordered by Malaysia’s Sarawak state.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who has been in power since August 1, 1968, making him the second-longest reigning monarch globally, after the UK’s Queen Elizabeth II.
Who is Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah?
Sultan Bolkiah is renowned not only for his extended reign but also for his impressive car collection, reputedly the largest in the world. He reportedly owns around 7,000 cars, valued at over $5 billion, contributing to his substantial net worth of $30 billion.
He reportedly owns 600 Rolls-Royce, 450 Ferraris, and 380 Bentleys. He also purchased a custom gold-coated Rolls-Royce for his daughter.
During the visit, Sultan Bolkiah will host the meeting at his grand palace, known as one of the world's largest and most opulent palaces, featuring stunning 22 karat gold domes. This setting underscores the significance of the occasion and the Sultan's warm hospitality.
PM Modi expressed his enthusiasm about the visit through a tweet, stating, "Today, I am embarking on a first-ever bilateral visit to Brunei Darussalam. 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."
The visit is expected to strengthen the diplomatic ties between India and Brunei, emphasizing the 40-year milestone in their bilateral relations.
Indians and Brunei
There are currently around 14,500 Indians living in Brunei Darussalam out of the total population of about 4,50,500 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.
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.
“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.
Following his visit to Brunei, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Singapore on Sept 4. In Singapore, he looks forward to meeting President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
"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," Modi tweeted. He emphasized that both countries are crucial partners in India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision. Modi expressed confidence that his visits will further strengthen India’s partnership with Brunei, Singapore, and the larger ASEAN region.
(With inputs from a syndicated feed)
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