PM Modi's Brunei visit highlights India's commitment to strengthening ties in Southeast Asia

Prime Minister Modi is wasting no time in walking the talk as far as his foreign policy goals are concerned. This week, with a clear focus on Look East policy the Indian PM was in Brunei and Singapore. The Brunei visit was the first state visit by an Indian PM, after establishing diplomatic relations in 1984. The Indian Mission in Brunei came nearly a decade later in 1993. PM Manmohan Singh had visited Brunei Darussalam in 2013 to attend multilateral meetings of ASEAN and East Asia Summit.Highlighting the importance of the first bilateral visit to Brunei, India’s High Commissioner Alok Amitabh Dimri, told news agency ANI “ In our four decades of diplomatic relationship, this is the first bilateral official visit by the Prime Minister of India to Brunei Darussalam.

It is a historic moment in our bilateral relationship and also for the Indian community in Brunei Darussalam that high-level bilateral engagement between Prime Minister Shri Modi and His Majesty the King is going to take place. This visit is historic in many ways that Brunei and India have been civilizational neighbours as you know that India shares deep historical roots and bonds with Southeast Asia. The Malayan tradition of this geography which is located in the Borneo Island of Southeast Asian Seas derives deep linkages be it, linguistic, anthropological, ethnic, architectural, religious motives, customs and traditions, norms from India, South India.” Defence relations between the two countries have been on an upward trajectory since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties.

There have been several official-level defence exchanges and visits of navy, coast guard ships and joint exercises. India has MoU in in defence sector with Brunei till 2026.  Several Indian Navy ships and coast guard ships such as INS Rana, INS Airavat, INS Shivalik & INS Kadmatt, and Samudra Pahereda to name a few, have been in Brunei waters, given the maritime security concerns. The trade relations between the two countries are not what one can boast of, however, it is of strategic importance.

The recently concluded Brunei trip by the Indian PM has enhanced and deepened the partnership between the two countries. The joint  statement issued after the leader's meeting stated “Both leaders held discussions for enhancing cooperation on a wide range of issues including defence, connectivity, trade and investment, energy including renewables, space, ICT, health and pharmaceuticals, education and capacity building, culture, tourism, youth and people-to-people exchanges, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.” However, the real area of cooperation would be in maintaining international rules of law deep in the Indian Ocean. Brunei is located in the South China Sea region, where China has a significant presence and has been increasingly threatening the bordering countries with its coercive tactics. These issues were raised by the Indian PM in his meeting with his Counterpart on Darussalam.

The joint statement read,  “Both leaders reiterated their commitment to work closely together in mutually beneficial areas to further strengthen the ASEAN – India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.Both leaders reiterated their commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security, as well as respecting freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce, consistent with international law, notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. The leaders also urged all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982.”  

The first state visit by an Indian PM to Brunei just months after taking charge for a third time is a long-term strategic move to secure India’s interests for the future.

(The writer is a policy analyst, views are personal)