It was also agreed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations in 2024 and strengthen high-level exchanges. The two sides will also conclude at an early date, the MoUs under discussion…reports Asian Lite News
The 8th Foreign Office Consultations between India and Brunei were held in Bandar Seri Begawan here on Tuesday, informed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East), MEA, and Penigran Norhashimah binti Pengiran Mohd Hassan, Permanent Secretary, MoFA, Brunei Darussalam, co-chaired the meeting.
“8th India-Brunei Foreign Office Consultations led by Secretary East Saurabh Kumar and Permanent Secretary Penigran Norhashimah, reviewed bilateral ties in trade/ commerce/investments/defence/ICT/ agri/health/pharma/maritime; agreed to celebrate 40th diplomatic anniversary in 2024,” tweeted India in Brunei.
The two sides reviewed their bilateral relations and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation, including in trade, commerce, investments, defence and space. They also agreed to explore collaborations in ICT, agriculture, health & pharma, maritime, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Views were also exchanged on regional and international issues of mutual interest, as per an official release.
It was also agreed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations in 2024 and strengthen high-level exchanges. The two sides will also conclude at an early date, the MoUs under discussion.
Secretary (East) also called on Pengiran Shamhary, Minister of Transport and Info-Communications, Amin Liew, Minister at PMO and Second Minister of Finance & Economy, and Haji Erywan, Minister of Foreign Affairs II.
The release added that the next round of consultations will be held at mutually convenient dates in New Delhi.
Bilateral relations between the countries were established on 10 May 1984. His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah made a state visit to India in September 1992. Since the discovery of oil in Brunei in 1929, a number of Indians migrated to Brunei to work in the oil and allied services sectors; later, many arrived as teachers, with some of them inter-marrying with local Bruneian peoples.
Five memorandums of understanding were signed by both countries in May 2008, on issues such as Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPA), Information and Communications Technology (ICT), culture, trade and space. The main export of Brunei to India is crude oil, while India has mainly exported its manpower to Brunei, both professionals and semi-skilled workers.
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