INDIA-BRUNEI RELATIONS

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India said he was looking forward to strong ties with Brunei, especially in boosting commercial and cultural linkages, as he visited Bandar Seri Begawan.

1. Diplomatic Relations:

India and Brunei Darussalam established diplomatic ties on May 10, 1984, with India’s mission in Brunei Darussalam being set up on May 18, 1993.

The two countries enjoy close relations, rooted in strong traditional and cultural connections and their shared membership in international organizations like the UN, NAM, Commonwealth, ASEAN, and others.

Brunei Darussalam has been supportive of India’s ‘Look East’ and ‘Act East’ policies aimed at enhancing cooperation with ASEAN.

As the Country Coordinator for India in ASEAN from July 2012 to June 2015, Brunei Darussalam played a key role in strengthening India’s relationship with ASEAN.

2. Defense Relations: The defense ties between India and Brunei Darussalam have been growing steadily. The cooperation includes regular official-level defense exchanges, visits by naval and coast guard ships, joint training and exercises, and participation in each other’s defense exhibitions and expos. In January 2021, officials from the Defense Ministries of both nations held a virtual meeting. The Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation was renewed for another five years in 2021.

Royal Brunei Navy Visits to India: The Bruneian ship ‘KDB Darulaman’ took part in MILAN 2012 held in the Andaman Islands. Additionally, the Royal Brunei Navy’s ship ‘KP 80 DARU TTAQWA’ visited Mumbai in August 2014.

Defense Exhibitions in Brunei Darussalam: For the first time, two Indian defense companies, Bharat Electronics Ltd. and MKU Ltd., participated in the Defence Industry Exposition organized by the Brunei Armed Forces on the 63rd Armed Forces Anniversary held on June 1-2, 2024.

Defense Exhibitions in India: Delegations from Brunei Darussalam took part in DEFEXPO in 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2018, and also participated in AERO INDIA in 2015 and 2017.

Visits of Indian Ships: Indian Navy and Coast Guard ships have made several visits, including INS Rana and INS Kulish in June 2006, INS Gharial and INS Kulish in October 2008, and INS Airavat and INS Khukri in 2009. In May 2011, INS Ranvir and INS Jyoti visited, followed by Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Sagar in June 2011. Subsequent visits included INS Airavat in July 2011, INS Gharial in June 2013, ICGS Sagar in March 2014, INS Shakti in August 2014, INS Airavat in May 2016, INS Satpura in November 2017, ICGS Shaunak in January 2019, INS Jalashwa in May 2020, INS Shivalik and INS Kadmatt in August 2021, and Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar in April 2023.

3. Commercial Relations: India-Brunei Bilateral Trade (As per Brunei Department of Economic Planning and Development) (US $ million)

India’s Exports to Brunei: India primarily exports automobiles, transport equipment, rice, and spices to Brunei. On the import side, India is one of the largest buyers of Brunei’s crude oil, purchasing approximately USD 500-600 million worth of crude oil annually.

4. Cultural Relations: India has maintained strong cultural ties with Brunei Darussalam, with regular visits by ICCR-sponsored cultural troupes. In 2019, an 8-member troupe from the “Punjabi Sabhyachar Kender” visited Brunei and performed five times to celebrate India’s Independence Day.

     “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” Celebrations: As part of India@75 celebrations, the High Commission has organized various activities, such as blood donation drives, tree planting, free medical camps, beach clean-ups, and screenings of Hindi movies. The Mission has also extended support to members of the Indian community in Brunei whose livelihoods were affected by the 2nd and 3rd COVID-19 waves, which impacted the country on August 7, 2021.

5. Indian Community in Brunei Darussalam:

The Indian diaspora in Brunei Darussalam dates back to the 1930s, with successive waves of migrants enriching the community over the decades. Indian professionals in education, healthcare, engineering, construction, and retail have further strengthened the Indian presence in the country. Currently, there are around 14,500 Indians living in Brunei Darussalam, out of a total population of about 450,500. Over half of these Indian expatriates are semi-skilled and unskilled workers in sectors such as oil and gas, construction, and retail. A significant number of doctors in Brunei are of Indian origin. Indian professionals, particularly teachers and doctors, are highly regarded in Brunei Darussalam, and the Indian community enjoys goodwill and respect from ordinary Bruneians. Indian engineers, IT professionals, and businessmen also contribute significantly, with Indian entrepreneurs holding a notable share of the textile market in Brunei.

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardees:

1. The first recipient of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) in 2010 was the Late Mr Mohinder Singh, an NRI who later became a Bruneian citizen. He was honoured for creating numerous employment opportunities for Indian nationals in Brunei Darussalam.
2. The second recipient of the PBSA in 2016 was Mr. Nazeer Ahamed Zackariah, a prominent Indian businessman in Brunei Darussalam, recognized for his exceptional achievements in community service and the business sector.
3. Dr Alexander Maliakel John, a distinguished Indian Gastroenterologist in Brunei, was the third recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2023. He was honoured for his significant contributions to Gastroenterology and Endoscopic services in Brunei’s government hospitals.

About Brunei:

• Location: It is situated on the northern coast of Borneo Island in Southeast Asia.It is positioned in both the Northern and Eastern hemispheres of the Earth.
• Borders: Brunei is bordered to the north by the South China Sea and surrounded by Malaysia on all other sides. The country is split into two separate parts by a section of Malaysia’s Sarawak. It shares maritime borders with China and Malaysia.
• Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital and largest city of Brunei.
• Mountain: Bukit Pagon, located along the eastern mountainous border with Malaysia, is the highest point in the country at 6,069 feet.
• Rivers: Several rivers flow through Brunei, including the Belait, Pandaruan, and Tutong.
• Economy: Brunei is a significant oil producer in Southeast Asia.
• Population: Brunei citizens make up about 76% of the population, with the remainder consisting of permanent or temporary residents. Over 80% of the population is ethnically Malay or Chinese.
• Indian Community: Approximately 14,000 Indians live in Brunei. The contributions of Indian doctors and teachers to Brunei’s healthcare and education sectors are highly recognized.

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