PM Modi lands in Brunei before Singapore as India aims to up its 'chips' in extended neighbourhood

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (Sept 3) left for a three-day visit to Brunei and Singapore with a focus on boosting bilateral ties and enhancing India's capacities in critical technologies, including semiconductors. Later in the day, he landed in Brunei'sDarussalam.

This is the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei. PM Modi will remain in Brunei on September 3-4, and then travel to Singapore.

While departing from New Delhi, PM Modi said he was looking forward to his scheduled engagements with Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and other key members of the Royal family.

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"As we celebrate 40 years of diplomatic ties, I am eager to advance our historical relationship with Brunei to new heights," PM Modi said.

After Brunei, the Indian prime minister will be in Singapore on September 4 and 5. The prime minister is scheduled to hold meetings with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

PM Modi will also interact with Singapore's "vibrant" business community.

Singapore visit: Semiconductor deal could be crucial breakthrough

WION has exclusively reported that India and Singapore will sign a pact on semiconductors during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit.

Other than semiconductors, MoUs that are expected to be signed include Skilling, Health/Medicine, and Digital Collaboration.

Singapore has been invited by the Indian government to invest in 12 industrial parks announced last week.

Also watch |The India Story | India's big push to become a semiconductor hub

The Lion City, known for being the financial centre of the world, could send a team to India to look at the projects and invest.

Singapore is India’s top foreign investor and has accounted for about 23 per cent of India’s FDI equity inflows since 2000.