PM Modi’s historic visit to Brunei opens a new chapter in bilateral ties and future collaborations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at Bandar Seri Begawan Airport on Tuesday, commencing his scheduled two-day visit to Brunei Darussalam. This marks the first time that an Indian Prime Minister is embarking on a bilateral trip to this Southeast Asian country at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. The visit aims to hold bilateral discussions with the country about exploring new avenues for collaboration in a diverse array of fields like defense, trade, investment, energy space technology, capacity building, health, and cultural ties.
A small, sovereign nation, Brunei is located on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. The capital of Brunei is Bandar Seri Begawan, previously known as Brunei Town. Standard Malay is the official language of the nation. Surrounded by Malaysia and the South China Sea, Brunei is popularly known for its rich diversity of life and lush green forests. The country is situated strategically in the heart of Southeast Asia, enabling access to nearby countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
If local lore is to be believed, when Awang Alak Betatar first visited what is now called Brunei, he exclaimed “Baru nah” which translates to “That's it”. This is how the name of the nation was coined. After establishing his dynasty in Brunei, Awang Alak Betatar took on the name Sultan Muhammad Shah. The official name of the nation is Negara Brunei Darussalam- here ‘Negara’ translates to ‘country’, and ‘Darussalam’ translates to ‘the abode of peace’.
Brunei’s Shell Oil
Brunei’s economy mostly survives on its oil and gas reserves. Although Brunei is one of the world’s smallest nations, with a total land area of about 5,765 square kilometers, the country houses around 15.2 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves and approximately 1.1 billion barrels of proven oil reserves. Brunei is positioned as the third-largest gas and oil producer in Southeast Asia. Being one of the smallest countries in the world, with a population of under half a million, Brunei’s GDP per capita is quite high, making it one of the wealthiest nations globally.
Brunei has a high literacy rate of around 97.2 percent. Education is given quite a priority in this country with a strong focus on nurturing reading habits and lifelong learning. The Brunei government invests significantly in the country’s education sector and also provides free healthcare and education. The country offers free schooling up to the university level. The government also dedicates enough resources to research and education.
Renowned as the “Venice of the East”, Kampong Ayer is a city in Brunei situated along the Brunei River near Bandar Seri Begawan. This beautiful city houses buildings and homes which are supported by elevation on stilts standing on water, and are linked together by bridges and walkways. As a prominent tourist attraction, Kampong Ayer offers visitors a view of traditional Bruneian village life.
Sultan’s Palace
The Istana Nurul Iman is not only the country’s seat of government but also serves as the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei. Situated along the Brunei River in Bandar Seri Begawan, the palace is nestled amidst a picturesque landscape. According to Guinness World Records, covering approximately 2,152,782 square feet (200,000 square meters), Istana Nurul Iman is officially the world's largest residential palace. The palace features 1,788 rooms, including 257 bathrooms, a mosque, a garage that accommodates 110 cars, and five swimming pools.
The royal family of Brunei has shown immense dedication towards environmental preservation, and that is why today, Brunei successfully preserved 70% of its rainforests. Brunei provides habitat to around 121 mammal species, 622 bird species, and various marine, reptiles, and amphibians. Some of the notable species housed in the habitat include the Sunda clouded leopard, proboscis monkey, hornbills, flying lizards, saltwater crocodiles, and the Bornean Sun Bear.
PM Modi, ahead of departure to Brunei and Singapore, said in a statement, “As we celebrate the 40 years of our diplomatic relations, I look forward to my meetings with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other esteemed members of the Royal family to advance our historical relationship to new heights.”
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