Looking forward to strong ties with Brunei: PM Modi; meets Indian diaspora

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he was looking forward to strong ties with Brunei, as he arrived here on the first leg of his two-nation trip meant to strengthen cooperation in sectors like defence, trade and investment, energy as well as people-to-people exchanges.

Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to Brunei on a bilateral visit, said he was looking forward to his meetings with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and other members of the royal family to take the historical relationship to new heights.

As a special gesture, Modi was received by Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah at the airport. From Brunei, Modi will travel to Singapore on Wednesday.

Modi visited the iconic Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Brunei, which was built by the current Sultan's father. He also inaugurated the new chancery premises of the High Commission of India. At both places, he interacted with the Indian diaspora.

He was received by Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Dato Ustaz Awang Badarudd