PM Modi met the Sultan at the Istana Nurul Iman Palace, which boasts of 22-carat gold adornments, five swimming pools, 1,700 bedrooms, 257 bathrooms and more. He is the first Indian leader to visit Brunei for a bilateral visit as the countries celebrate 40 years of diplomatic ties.
PM Modi in Brunei: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a historic visit to Brunei, met Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at his official residence, the luxury palace of Istana Nurul Iman, on the second day of his visit. The Istana Nurul Iman Palace is the world's largest palace which boasts of 22-carat gold adornments, five swimming pools, 1,700 bedrooms, 257 bathrooms, 110 garages, and a private zoo with Bengal tigers and diverse bird species.
"Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges," said PM Modi on X.
The palace covers an enormous 200,000 square metres, making it the largest residential palace globally. It includes 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and a grand banquet hall that can seat 5,000 guests. The palace features parking for 110 cars, an air-conditioned stable for 200 polo ponies, five swimming pools, and a mosque that holds 1,500 worshippers.
Before his arrival, PM Modi said he was looking forward to strong ties between the countries, especially in boosting commercial and cultural linkages. His visit marks the first-ever bilateral trip by an Indian PM as both countries are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2024.
PM Modi receives grand welcome in Brunei
As a special gesture, Prime Minister Modi was received by Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah at the airport. Modi was accorded a warm welcome and given a guard of honour at the airport. "Looking forward to strong ties between our nations, especially in boosting commercial and cultural linkages," he said on X.
Later in the day, he inaugurated the new chancery premises of the Indian High Commission in Brunei, terming it as indicative of stronger ties between the two countries. "Delighted to inaugurate the new Chancery of the High Commission of India, indicative of our stronger ties with Brunei Darussalam. This will also be serving our diaspora," Prime Minister Modi said.
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