Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s First Visit to Brunei Excites Indian Community
By Nishant Ketu
Bandar Seri Begawan [Brunei], September 2: The Indian community in Brunei is eagerly preparing to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his first visit to the Southeast Asian nation, scheduled for September 3-4. This visit is seen as a significant step in strengthening the relationship between India and Brunei.
Ramesh Jeewatram Bhavnani, a prominent member of the Indian community, expressed the importance of the visit, stating, “The Prime Minister’s visit is a testament to his commitment to the Indian community in Brunei. He is coming here for the Indian community that resides here, this is very important.” Bhavnani also praised Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah for his fair treatment of all communities in Brunei.
Hitesh Ramesh Bhavnani, another enthusiastic community member, shared his excitement, saying, “People are preparing for it and are excited that he is coming here. PM Modi does something good everywhere he goes. He always gives his 200 per cent.”
Venkat Ramana Rao, a long-time resident of Brunei, reflected on the journey of the Indian community, noting their contributions in various fields such as education, healthcare, and engineering. He said, “When we came here in 2002, we were unknown. But today we have gained respect because of our contributions as teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers, inspectors, and blue-collar workers. The news of Prime Minister Modi’s visit has excited not just the Indian community but also the local Bruneian population.”
Vazeer Khan, a member of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, mentioned that PM Modi’s visit would further strengthen the ties between India and Brunei. He said, “We welcome the Prime Minister. This is the first bilateral visit and it will create good relations between India and Brunei… We are extremely excited. Hopefully, there will be more visits from political leaders…”
Md Irfan, another member of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, added, “We warmly welcome the Prime Minister to Brunei. His visit will play a significant role in trade, bilateral relations and cultural exchange between India and Brunei…”
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Brunei is part of India’s “Act East” policy, aiming to strengthen engagement with Southeast Asian countries. The visit is expected to include discussions with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on bilateral relations, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. Modi’s presence is also seen as a morale booster for the Indian diaspora in Brunei, who have been eagerly awaiting this historic visit.
Doubts Revealed
Prime Minister -: The Prime Minister is the head of the government in India. Right now, the Prime Minister is Narendra Modi.
Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He has been in office since 2014.
Brunei -: Brunei is a small country located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is known for its wealth due to oil and gas reserves.
Indian community -: The Indian community refers to people from India who live in other countries. In this case, it means Indians living in Brunei.
Ramesh Jeewatram Bhavnani -: Ramesh Jeewatram Bhavnani is a prominent member of the Indian community in Brunei. He is excited about Prime Minister Modi’s visit.
Hitesh Ramesh Bhavnani -: Hitesh Ramesh Bhavnani is another important member of the Indian community in Brunei. He also feels enthusiastic about the visit.
India-Brunei relations -: India-Brunei relations refer to the diplomatic and friendly interactions between India and Brunei. These include trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.
trade -: Trade means buying and selling goods and services between countries. India and Brunei trade various products with each other.
investment -: Investment means putting money into something to make a profit. India and Brunei discuss ways to invest in each other’s countries.
cultural exchange -: Cultural exchange means sharing different aspects of culture, like music, dance, and food, between countries. It helps people understand each other better.
Act East policy -: The ‘Act East’ policy is India’s strategy to improve relations with Southeast Asian countries. It focuses on economic and cultural ties.
diaspora -: Diaspora refers to people from one country who live in another country. The Indian diaspora in Brunei means Indians living in Brunei.
