NEW DELHI, 22 May 2008 — Sultan of Brunei Haji Hasanal Bolkiah and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh discussed a wide range of issues yesterday with focus on bilateral ties. During their talks, Bolkiah and Singh discussed ways to expand bilateral trade and economic relations with emphasis on expanding energy ties.
Bolkiah, who arrived here Tuesday evening on a four-day visit, was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan yesterday morning.
Sultan of Brunei, one of the richest men in the world, flew his own Boeing 747 from his country’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan to New Delhi. He was received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed.
Ahamed, the minister in waiting for the sultan, reached on time. But waited and waited for the visitor who seemed to be taking an inordinately long time to appear. When he did, he explained to the bewildered minister that he was coming out from the cockpit because he had been piloting the aircraft.
Bolkiah told the minister that he had flown the aircraft for five-and-a-half hours to reach the Indian capital. He had earned his pilot license from London in 1967.
Brunei wants India to reduce oil and gas import duties as part of the proposed India-Asian free trade agreement. It also seeks more trade and investment from India, particularly in the information technology (IT) sector. Brunei does not have any indigenous industry.
Bolkiah’s visit will see the signing of Bilateral Investment and Protection Agreement and three Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). The MOUs will be on information and communication technology, trade and economic cooperation and on cooperation in spheres of culture, art, mass media and sports. Oil and gas account for more than 80 percent of India’s imports from Brunei.
