Agreements on Defence and health are on the cards during Vice-President Hamid Ansari’s visit to Brunei and Thailand from February 1-5. The Vice-President will be on tour to these nations to boost India’s ‘Act East Policy’.
Ansari’s Brunei visit from February 1-3, at the invitation of crown prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, will be the first-ever visit by an Indian Vice-President since the establishment of diplomatic relations in May, 1984 between the two sides.
During his stay in Brunei, Ansari will hold talks with its leadership on issues including civil aviation, space, trade and investment, hydrocarbons, information & communication. India exports crude oil, petroleum products, gems and jewelry from the country. “Cooperation in ASEAN and East Asia Summit and other multilateral fora will also be on the agenda,” said Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East) in the MEA. Pacts on health and Defence cooperation will also be signed during Ansari’s visit.
Ansari’s Thailand visit from February 3-5 at the invitation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will also be the first visit by an Indian VP to the country after 50 years.
In Thailand, Ansari will deliver a speech at the Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and address the Indian community.