PM Modi’s Key Diplomatic Visits: Brunei and Singapore Talks Underway

PM Modi international tour 2024

PM Modi’s Key Diplomatic Visits: Brunei and Singapore are on the Modi’s itinerary on his first-ever trip to the region ahead of the G-20 Summit. Almost all these visits are on the invites of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

These visits are presumed to strengthen India’s relations with both nations with particular focus on the Ethnic Indian expatriates.

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KEY POINTS OF DISCUSSION

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has highlighted several crucial areas that will be on the agenda during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Brunei.

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has highlighted several crucial areas that will be on the agenda during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Brunei.
• Semiconductor Collaboration: India believes that there are great opportunities for development of cooperation with Brunei in the sphere of the release of semiconductors.
• Hydrocarbon and Natural Gas Imports: India has been a buyer of hydrocarbons from Brunei and is seeking to boost up it’s import of natural gas. The same is a part of the overall moves to look for energy sources for the rising needs of India.
• Myanmar Situation: The situation in Myanmar will also be a subject of conversation with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah which are in line with India’s strategic goals.
• Space and Technology Cooperation: India and Brunei has friendly relations in the field of space and technology. This upcoming visit will look at other ways of expanding this cooperation even further.
• Bilateral Trade and Investment: Currently, $270 million investments have been made by India specifically in Brunei’s hydrocarbon sector and it is anticipated to rise much higher as India looks to address its natural gas demand.
• Defence Cooperation: There is yet to be negotiations regarding the actual cooperation and partnership of India and Brunei on defence which could be a possible scope of development in the future.

In his schedule meeting with Singapore, the Prime Minister Modi is likely to look into the balance of FTA established between India and Singapore within the ASEAN region. During the visit, the MEA has thereby alluded to future negotiations regarding the review.

Also, there has been discussion on the opportunities to increase the number of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). “In terms of MOUs to be signed I suggest you watch the space, you will not be disappointed,” says MEA Secretary Jaideep Mazumdar.

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India and Singapore are likely to raise its partnership to a new level with the upcoming talks; it is expected that regional characteristics may become a subject of discussion, especially concerning China.

The recent visit of the Prime Minister Modi to Brunei and Singapore shows India’s desire to further expand the range of cooperation with the countries of South East Asia, which include energy cooperation, technological cooperation, development of security cooperation and regional security.

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