The Vice President of India Dr. Hamid Ansari paid an official visit to the Sultunate of Brunei this week, at the invitation of Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah. 

This was the first ever Vice Presidential level visit since the establishment of diplomatic relations. India and Brunei enjoy very close and friendly relations based on mutual respect and understanding on various bilateral and multilateral issues. Both countries are linked by history, culture and traditions for over a millennium. 

India established diplomatic relations with Brunei in May 1984 and the Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah has visited India thrice. 

The Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah,, hosted the Indian Vice President during his visit, during which he also had an audience with the Sultan of Brunei. Dr. Hamid Ansari also addressed the Indian community at a reception at the University of Brunei Darussalam. 

The visit was an important component of India’s ‘Act East’ policy – a policy upgraded by the current government from the earlier ‘Look East’ one – to strengthen ties and deepen cooperation between India and the countries of the Association of South East Nations (ASEAN). It is a policy which has been concertedly built over a period of time, having both depth and content.

Brunei has become an important partner and ally for India in ASEAN and had played a very important role as India-ASEAN Coordinator from 2013 to 2014. During his last visit to India in 2012 the Sultan of Brunei had participated in the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit held in New Delhi. In 2013 India had participated in the 11th ASEAN-India Summit and the 8th East Asia Summit which was held in Bandar Seri Begawan.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met the Sultan of Brunei in November 2014 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. 

Bilateral political contacts have periodically contributed to the strengthening of Indo- Brunei relations. During his meetings the Vice President discussed number of issues of bilateral, regional and multilateral significance, including cooperation in ASEAN and in East Asia Summit. Discussions were also held on cooperation in sectors such as civil aviation, space, trade and investment besides hydrocarbons, counter-terrorism, information and communication, etc.

The economy of the Sultunate of Brunei is based almost entirely on oil and gas.  Bilateral trade volume between India and Brunei is about a billion dollars, most of which is made up of crude oil and it has the potential to increase substantially. India is Brunei’s third largest market for its goods, which consist of petroleum products as well as organic chemicals, metal ores and scraps are the other commodities.
India’s main exports to Brunei consist of transportation equipment followed by meat and meat products and gems and jewellery.  

The two sides are also exploring the use of gas locally to set up a joint fertiliser factory. 

Three Memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to deepen bilateral cooperation were signed of which the one on defence is the most significant. It comes amidst rising tensions in the South China Sea. India has always stood up for freedom of navigation and defence of global maritime commons. Both sides were on the same page regarding the South China Sea and advocate peaceful resolution and primacy of international law in resolving the dispute. 

The two sides also discussed cooperation in counter-terrorism given the rise of terrorist syndicates in West ASIA which were spreading its tentacles to South and South East Asia. 

Two other MoUs were signed on cooperation in health and sports.  

The Vice President pitched strongly for the Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ programme, as India can play a major role in the kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy amidst falling oil prices.

Dr. Ansari thanked Brunei for the assistance and cooperation that it extended for India’s Space Programmes through the Telemetry Tracking and Tele-command Station of ISRO there, which was crucial for India’s success in deploying the Mangalyaan in orbit around Mars. He also expressed gratitude for the constructive role that Brunei has played in deepening India’s engagement with ASEAN and promised that India will continue to support Brunei in assuming its rightful place in the comity of nation. 

The Vice President’s visit has served to infuse greater energy, enthusiasm and visibility into the relationship between the two nations.