AMN/
India and Brunei have decided to hold high level talks to deepen their defence ties and enhance business cooperation. This has been agreed in the meeting between the visiting Vice-President of India Mohd Hamid Ansari and the Sultan of the host country, Hassanal Bolkiah at capital Bandar Seri Begawan today. Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs Anil Wadhwa said that, Brunei delegation will visit New Delhi to discuss about further strengthening defence cooperation. Indian delegation will soon go to Brunei to explore the possibilities of establishing a natural gas-based urea manufacturing unit.
Memoranda of Understanding to cooperate on defence, health and youth & sports affairs will be signed this evening. Mr Ansari also met the crown prince Al-Muhtadee Billa this morning.
The Indo-Brunei bilateral trade of about one billion US dollars a year is mostly related to India’s import of crude oil. Though natural gas is aplenty in Brunei, the possibilities of its export to India are said to be limited due to Brunei’s contractual obligations with other markets. However, the idea of a urea plant on the model of Indo-Oman venture is set to take forward business ties to a new level. Vice President Hamid Ansari’s talks with the crown prince and the Sultan of Brunei today were held in a very friendly atmosphere.