| Hakim Hayat in New Delhi, India |
UNDERSCORING Brunei Darussalam’s and the Republic of India’s commitment to further boost bilateral ties and seek greater cooperation in various fields, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India held a bilateral meeting yesterday.
During the meeting held at the Hyberabad House in India’s capital New Delhi on the sidelines of the Asean-India Commemorative Summit, His Majesty and the Indian Prime Minister discussed current issues and exchanged views on regional and international concerns, including bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, both leaders had positive discussions on cooperation in defence and security, energy, ICT, education, health and space, and looked forward to bolster ties in these areas.
Prior to leaving Hyderabad House, His Majesty was invited to sign a Visitor’s Book. Also present during the meeting were Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II; and Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The bilateral meeting between both leaders yesterday was preceded with a meeting between Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng and India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, where both sides discussed steps to boost bilateral cooperation.
Over the years, Brunei and India have made progress in various areas of cooperation and enjoy close bilateral relations. India imports crude oil worth USD1 billion from Brunei annually, making India the third largest importer for Brunei.
As demand expands, the opportunity to enhance export of hydrocarbon to India continues to grow, with the potential to diversify and add value in the hydrocarbon export chain, high-level officials from India said.
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