On Monday, Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary East of the Ministry of External Affairs, announced that maritime security discussions will be a key topic during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore. In a special briefing about the upcoming trip, Mazumdar highlighted that both India and Singapore share similar views on maritime security and safety.
Mazumdar emphasised that discussions on maritime security, particularly concerning the South China Sea, will be part of the agenda. He noted that Singapore, like India, values the safe and secure maintenance of sea lines of communication. While he could not specify the extent of the discussion, Mazumdar assured that these crucial issues would be addressed during the visit.
The situation in Myanmar is also expected to be a topic of conversation during PM Modi’s visits to Brunei and Singapore. As both countries are members of ASEAN, regional matters, including the situation in Myanmar, are likely to come up during these bilateral discussions.
Mazumdar provided details about PM Modi’s upcoming visits, noting that he will first travel to Brunei at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei. This visit coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Following Brunei, PM Modi will visit Singapore on September 4-5, at the invitation of Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong.
The MEA official highlighted that the visit to Brunei is significant, as it aligns with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties and is part of a broader engagement that covers various sectors including defence, trade, investment, energy, and technology. He noted that Brunei has been a supportive partner in India’s space program, with three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and a telemetry tracking and command station established in 2000.
Mazumdar also mentioned the importance of Brunei in India’s Act East Policy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific. The defence cooperation between the two nations is a key aspect of their bilateral relationship, with an MoU signed in 2016 and renewed in 2021, covering high-level exchanges, naval and coast guard interactions, and joint exercises. As India marks a decade of its Act East Policy, Brunei’s role as a partner is underscored, reflecting its continued influence in ASEAN and regional engagement.
