| Rokiah Mahmud in New Delhi |
A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of India which envisages Cooperation in the Operation of Telemetry Tracking and Telecommand Station for Satellite and Launch Vehicles as well as Cooperation in the Field of Space Research, Science and Applications.
The MoU was signed on behalf of the Government of 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 by Minister of Communications Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof, while Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj signed on behalf of the Government of the Republic of India.
The signing took place at the Oberoi Hotel in the Indian capital New Delhi on the sidelines of the 10th Delhi Dialogue held from July 19-20.
Also present during the signing ceremony were High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to the Republic of India Dato Paduka Haji Sidek bin Ali and officials from the Ministry of Communications of Brunei Darussalam, High Commission of Brunei Darussalam in New Delhi and India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
At the 10th Delhi Dialogue, the Brunei Darussalam delegation was headed by Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib.
The annual dialogue aims to create a platform to discuss political, security, economic and socio-cultural engagement between India and ASEAN member states.
With the theme ‘Strengthening India-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation’, the 10th Delhi Dialogue revolved around the discussion on forging connectivity between ASEAN and India. This included discussion on enhancing India-ASEAN partnership in maritime cooperation and how this can be developed further. In addition, the dialogue also discussed ways to enhance e-commerce and digital connectivity to build a cohesive and future-ready ASEAN-India digital economy as well as shared experiences to synergise efforts in building smart cities.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib delivered a special address during the ministerial session titled ‘Enhanced Cooperation to Strengthen ASEAN-India Connectivity’. In line with the dialogue’s theme, the minister highlighted the perspectives and current affairs in maritime and air transport sectors, the two key sectors towards enhancing ASEAN connectivity within the region.
The Minister of Communications emphasised the current initiatives and progress under the ASEAN Transport Ministers’ Forum to establish and sustain an efficient and well-integrated transport system. This includes the ASEAN-India Air Services Consultations which is hoped to improve connectivity between ASEAN and Indian cities and the aspiration towards creating an ASEAN Single Shipping Market, he noted.
The ministerial session also featured addresses by Cabinet-ranked ministers and heads of delegations from ASEAN member countries as well as talks by ministers from ASEAN member countries and India as well as Chief Ministers of North Eastern states of India.
The dialogue keynote address was delivered by Sushma Swaraj in which she said that India has been working with ASEAN towards evolving a regional security architecture focussed on ASEAN’s centrality.
She added that this year’s dialogue is particularly special as it celebrates its 10th edition and follows the commemorative summit that marked the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India partnership in January 2018 in New Delhi.
The summit, she explained, recognised India and ASEAN as maritime partners and neighbours and they must work together to ensure the security and sustainability of oceans and waterways.
The High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam and officials from the Ministry of Communications of Brunei Darussalam and the High Commission of Brunei Darussalam in New Delhi also attended the dialogue which also saw the presence of 20 journalists from the 10 ASEAN member countries under the ASEAN-India Media Exchange Programme.
During his stay in India, Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib will conduct working visits to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Headquarters and several major IT companies in Bengaluru before returning to Brunei Darussalam.
Since its inauguration in 2009, the Delhi Dialogue has emerged as an important forum where political leaders, policymakers, researchers, academicians, business leaders and media persons converged for brainstorming on a range of issues pertaining to ASEAN-India relations.