Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed by members of the Indian diaspora upon his arrival at a hotel in Singapore on Wednesday. PM Modi even attempted to play a 'dhol' as the crowd performed to welcome him. Upon his arrival at Changi airport from Brunei, he was greeted by Indian High Commissioner to Singapore Shilpak Ambule, Singapore's High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, and other officials.
During his visit, PM Modi and Lawrence Wong will review the progress of the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). PM Modi will meet with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and interact with Singaporean leadership. He will also engage with business leaders from Singapore.
Before his visit to Singapore, PM Modi was on an official visit to Brunei. Earlier in the day, PM Modi held extensive talks with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan. During their talks, both leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties.
In a post on X, PM Modi stated: "Delighted to meet 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".
On Tuesday, PM Modi inaugurated the new Chancery of the High Commission of India in Brunei's capital city Bandar Seri Begawan. The chancery complex masterfully integrates traditional motifs and lush tree plantations, embodying a profound sense of Indianness.
The Prime Minister also visited Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan on Tuesday, as part of his historic visit to Brunei. Brunei's Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Dato Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin received him at the Mosque, and Brunei's Minister of Health Dato Haji Mohammad Isham was also present, according to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
On PM Modi's visit to Brunei, Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs Jaideep Mazumdar stated: "Today, ahead of the talks, he was received at the Royal Palace by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and they had detailed discussions on how to take the bilateral relations forward and they covered a wide area of defence, trade and investment, space, energy, health, culture and people to people relations".
"It is a matter of happiness that Brunei is going to start direct flights to India from Bandar Sari Begawan to Chennai are planned for later this year. Also they discussed emerging areas of bilateral cooperation such as FinTech, the digital technology, digital payment systems as well as renewable energy," he added.
He stated that PM Modi and Brunei Sultan discussed Asean-related matters as well as regional and international matters. Calling space an important area of bilateral cooperation, MEA Secretary stated: "Space has traditionally been an important area of bilateral cooperation. India's telemetry tracking and command station is located in Brunei, and both sides signed an MoU to take this relationship further forward."
