Brunei is one of the five countries locked in maritime dispute with China

India is committed to strengthening cooperation with Brunei in economic, scientific and strategic sectors, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while speaking at a luncheon banquet hosted for him by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in his capital Bandar Seri Begawan.

“We have decided to strengthen our cooperation in fin-tech and cyber security along with agri-industry, space, pharmaceutical and health sectors,” PM Modi said after a bilateral meeting with Sultan.

Under the energy sector, the discussion focussed on potential for long term cooperation in liquefied natural gas. India wants long term gas supply agreements.

PM Modi added, “To strengthen our defence cooperation, we held constructive dialogue on possibilities of cooperation in the defence industry, training and capacity building.”.

The two sides have also decided to strengthen cooperation in space sector, including satellite development, remote sensing and training. The existing MoU on Brunei hosting Indian Space Research Organisation’s telemetry tracking and telecommand station, has been renewed. The station was set up in 2000 and tracks all satellite launches India makes in an easterly direction.

Brunei is an important partner in India’s ‘act east’ policy and Indo-Pacific vision. To this, India struck the ‘right notes’ with PM Modi saying, “We support freedom of navigation and overflight under international laws like United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)”.

Brunei is one of the five countries locked in a maritime dispute with China over claims in South China Sea. A code of conduct on operating in the South China is being negotiated, after China lost its case on maritime territorial claims in a UN Court.

On Wednesday PM Modi said, “We agree that a code of conduct should be finalised in this region. We support the policy of development, and not expansionism.”

A joint statement cemented the opinion saying, “Both leaders reiterated their commitment to respect freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce, consistent with international law, notably the UNCLOS, 1982”.

All parties – to the South China Sea dispute – need to resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982, the joint statement added.

PM Modi had arrived at Bandar Seri Begawan to a warm welcome by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

The two leaders welcomed the elevation of bilateral ties to ‘Enhanced Partnership’. The bilateral talks covered a range of topics including defence, trade and investment, food security, education, energy, space technology, health, capacity building, culture as well as people-to-people exchanges.

Both leaders agreed to continue convening regular meetings, exchanges and dialogue on bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest, including regular convening of the ‘foreign office consultations’ and various ‘joint working group’ meetings.

A planned direct flight connectivity between Bandar Seri Begawan and Chennai has been welcomed by the two leaders.

Courtesy: The Tribune India: 4th Sep , 2024