PM Modi meets Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at the Luxury Palace in Brunei

New Delhi| On the second day of his bilateral visit to Brunei, PM Modi met Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at the Luxury Palace. The meeting took place at the Istana Nurul Iman Palace, which has a lot to offer including 22-carat gold decorations, five swimming pools, 1,700 bedrooms, 257 bathrooms. PM Modi is the first Indian leader to visit Brunei for a bilateral visit. Currently, India and Brunei are celebrating 40 years of their diplomatic relations. This luxury palace has 110 garages and the Bengal Tiger, a private zoo with diverse bird species.

Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and his close family members warmly welcomed PM Narendra Modi at the Istana Nurul Iman Palace. Brunei is an important partner in India’s ‘Act East’ policy and vision of the Indo-Pacific Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while sharing pictures of the important meeting between the two leaders on his social media X, wrote that this palace is spread over 200,000 square meters, which is the largest residential palace in the world. It includes 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and a grand banquet hall, which can seat 5,000 guests. The palace has parking for 110 cars, an air-conditioned stable for 200 polo ponies, five swimming pools and a mosque housing 1,500 worshippers.

Ahead of his arrival, PM Modi said he looked forward to promoting stronger ties between the countries, especially commercial and cultural ties. Prime Minister Modi was given a grand welcome by Crown Prince Al-Muhtadi Billah at Brunei’s airport. Also given a guard of honour. “There is hope for stronger ties between our countries, especially to promote commercial and cultural ties”, he said on X On the first day, PM Modi inaugurated the new Chancery Complex of the Indian High Commission in Brunei and described it as a sign of strong relations between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi said, “It is a pleasure to inaugurate the new Chancery of the High Commission of India, which is a sign of our strong relations with Brunei Darussalam”. It will also serve our diaspora.”