On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his visit to Brunei and Singapore as part of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Indo-Pacific vision. The trip aims to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including semiconductors and hydrocarbons.
Visit to Brunei (September 3-4)
- Historic Visit: Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Brunei, a small country on the island of Borneo with an Indian diaspora of approximately 14,000 people.
- Objectives: The visit focuses on establishing long-term and predictable gas supply arrangements from Brunei.
- Statements: Modi emphasized that Brunei and Singapore are crucial partners in India’s Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific vision. He expressed confidence that the visits will strengthen partnerships with Brunei, Singapore, and the larger ASEAN region.
- Diplomatic Meetings: Modi looks forward to meeting His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other members of the Royal family to advance historical relations.
Visit to Singapore (Starting September 4)
- Agreements: During the visit, India and Singapore are expected to sign around six agreements, including one focused on developing a semiconductor ecosystem.
- Strategic Partnership: Modi aims to deepen the Strategic Partnership with Singapore, particularly in advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development.
- Key Meetings: Modi plans to meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. He will also engage with Singapore’s business community.
Trade and Investment
- Economic Ties: Singapore is India’s largest trade partner within ASEAN and the sixth largest globally. In 2023, Singapore was the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India, with cumulative investments since 2000 totaling $160 billion.
Space Cooperation
- Historical Ties: Brunei holds a special role in India’s space program, having signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the field. In 2000, India established a telemetry tracking and command station in Brunei for monitoring eastward satellite and rocket launches.
- Future Discussions: The visit will include discussions on enhancing space cooperation.
Change in Itinerary
- Original Plan: Modi was initially scheduled to visit Singapore after attending the Bimstec summit in Thailand. Following the postponement of the summit, Brunei was added to the itinerary.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the primary focus of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Brunei?
- A) Tourism Development
- B) Long-term gas supply arrangements
- C) Cultural Exchange
- D) Military Cooperation
- Answer: B) Long-term gas supply arrangements
- Who will Modi meet during his visit to Brunei?
- A) President Tharman Shanmugaratnam
- B) Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
- C) Prime Minister Lawrence Wong
- D) Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong
- Answer: B) Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
- Which sector is highlighted in the agreements expected to be signed during Modi’s visit to Singapore?
- A) Agriculture
- B) Tourism
- C) Semiconductor ecosystem
- D) Healthcare
- Answer: C) Semiconductor ecosystem
- What was the original plan for Modi’s visit before it was altered?
- A) Visiting Brunei before Singapore
- B) Attending the Bimstec summit in Thailand
- C) Directly traveling to Singapore
- D) Meeting with ASEAN leaders in Malaysia
- Answer: B) Attending the Bimstec summit in Thailand
- What special role does Brunei play in India’s space program?
- A) Hosting a space research facility
- B) Providing launch services
- C) Telemetry tracking and command station
- D) Satellite manufacturing
- Answer: C) Telemetry tracking and command station