| By Saiful Rizal
Minister of Education Pehin Dato Hj Awg Abd Aziz with Indian
High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, Mr Ajai Choudhry,
cutting the cake during India's 54th Republic Day reception at
Orchid Garden Hotel last night. At left is Madam Kalpana
Choudhry. Pic: Saiful Rizal
The Indian High Commissioner to
Brunei Darussalam, Mr Ajai Choudhry, hosted India's 54th
Republic Day reception dinner at Orchid Garden Hotel last night,
with Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia Hj Awg Abd
Aziz, the Minister of Education, as guest of honour.
"Brunei is a gracious host
to several thousands of Indian expatriates. The role of Indian
expatriates in Brunei Darussalam, estimated at about 8,000 and
comprising people of different walks of life, has been of
particular importance in strengthening bilateral ties. Their
mutually harmonious, friendly and cooperative relationship with
the people of Brunei is commendable.
"The Indian community
appreciates the opportunity that they have of working in Brunei
while enjoying the warm hospitality and friendship of the people
of this country," said the Indian High Commissioner in his
opening speech.
Mr Choudhry added: "Brunei
also plays an important role in further strengthening India's
relations with Asean as a whole. As a dialogue partner of Asean,
India has closely worked with Brunei and other Asean countries
and would continue to do so with a view to promoting peace and
security in the region."
He also said that ties between
Brunei and India have always been marked by cordiality,
friendship and understanding and have been strengthened in the
last one year by several high level visits from India to this
country. India also had bilateral foreign office consultations
with Brunei in March last year and Brunei also actively
participated in the India- Asean Business Summit held in October
last year at New Delhi and Hyderabad by sending a delegation to
the conference. This exchange of visits has been intensified and
has extended the dimensions of the Brunei-India bilateral
relationship.
Pehin Dato Hj Awg Abd Aziz in
his speech highlighted the cordial bilateral relations for many
years and that historical ties between the two countries traced
far back into the annals of history.
The minister was also pleased
to note the contributions and services of Indian nationals to
the country's education and other key areas such as medicine,
engineering, technology, business and construction sectors.
He added that Brunei would also
continue to benefit from the transfer of their knowledge and
skills to the betterment of the people of Brunei and the nation.
Pehin Dato Hj Abd Aziz said
Brunei is particularly conscious of the giant strides taken by
India in the area of information technology and he looks forward
especially to the co-operation of Indian professionals
particularly in manpower training in the vital area of IT.
The minister also noted that in
this area of globalisation, Brunei is very keen to promote
bilateral trade and investment to create a conducive
environment. The minister said Indian businessmen would be more
than willing to participate in the various sectors of Brunei
economy and generate employment opportunities for the Brunei
people.
Also present during the
reception were distinguished guests and foreign ambassadors in
the country.
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