New Delhi. Siti Arnifariza Haji Mohammad Zaini, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam (Brunei) to India, has described the future of growing trade relations between India and Brunei as promising. He said that the trade between the two countries is currently around 500 million dollars and it is increasing every year. Speaking to IANS, he expressed hope that this pace will continue in the coming years also.
Regarding trade between India and Brunei, High Commissioner Jaini said, “The current trade between the two countries is about 500 million dollars. This trade is increasing year after year and Brunei hopes that this growth will continue in the future also.”
Jaini also mentioned the potential that exists in relations between India and ASEAN countries. He said, “Brunei and India are natural partners and there is huge potential for cooperation between the two countries at the bilateral level as well as at the ASEAN level. India and Brunei already have good relations in the energy sector and both cooperate with each other.” However, he also pointed to the vast potential for cooperation in the downstream sector of energy.
The High Commissioner said, “The two countries can work together to further cooperation in the energy sector as well as in the field of downstream energy. It is expected that India and Brunei will further strengthen their cooperation in this direction in the future.”
Brunei is a member state of ASEAN, and trade, energy and regional cooperation are important areas in its relations with India.
Diplomatic relations between India and Brunei were established on 10 May 1984, and the two countries have close ties in the cultural, energy and strategic sectors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Brunei to mark 40 years of diplomatic relations in 2024, and was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei. During this period, relations between the two countries were given the status of ‘enhanced partnership’.
Brunei regularly exports crude oil and LNG to India. At the same time, India has made significant investments in the hydrocarbon sector of Brunei. The two countries had signed a defense cooperation agreement in 2016. Indian Naval ships frequently visit Brunei and cooperation on maritime security is being enhanced. Talking about space technology, ISRO has established telemetry, tracking and command ground station in Brunei, which is a main center of space cooperation.
About 14,000 Indians live in Brunei, including doctors, teachers and various professionals who have contributed significantly to the economy there.