India Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Brunei and Singapore signified the consolidation of the Act East Policy, further strengthening the focus on the Indo Pacific and Southeast Asia as the cornerstone of India’s friendshoring solidification in both containing China and in deepening its presence in the region.

Modi’s visits to Brunei and Singapore September 3-5  were within 100 days of assuming office in his third term, a demonstration of the importance that he has demonstrated in the relations with ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific. This remains the second chapter of the Act East Policy, in strengthening its reach and depth of the two-pronged returns of technology and energy and geopolitical gains for New Delhi.

As External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized, Modi's visit to Brunei and Singapore is a significant advancement in India's Act East policy, reflecting a deepening of diplomatic and economic ties with these Southeast Asian nations.

Both nations have committed to leveraging their respective strengths to foster economic growth and investment capabilities are expected to bolster Brunei's economic diversification efforts.

A free and open Indo Pacific remains a key tenet of India’s national interests and Act East agenda, but the main priority is to ensure that an expanded friendship based on mutual needs and trust is formed, and that joint threats are faced together in a stronger show of solidarity towards a rules-based order and a free and open maritime route based on international law.

 The Brunei Visit

Modi’s visit to Brunei was the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to Brunei since it became independent in 1984, and the first since diplomatic relations were established with India in May 1984. Modi and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah agreed to enhance cooperation on a wide range of issues, including defence, connectivity, trade and investment, energy including renewables, space, ICT, health and pharmaceuticals, education and capacity building, culture, tourism, youth and people-to-people exchanges, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Brunei is rich in fossil fuels. India is currently energy deficient, and Brunei presents a new domain of energy support for India through supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Both also seek to enhance tourism, business connectivity and expand people-to-people connect. It was agreed to intensify defence and maritime cooperation, including regular exchanges of visits, training programmes, joint exercises and visits of naval and coast guard ships between the two countries.

Both leaders sought to reaffirm an open, free and inclusive Indo-Pacific. They reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining  peace, stability, maritime safety and security, and freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce, consistent with international law. Facing renewed challenges in the contentious South China Sea claims, Brunei sees India as a third force that can help to serve as a power balancer.

India is looking at Brunei as an emerging player in its Act East Policy, and its geographical advantage will enable India to extend its friendshoring flanks beyond Malaysia and Indonesia.

Visit to Singapore

Modi's visit to Singapore ushered in a new era of bilateral relations as the two countries agreed to upgrade their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This elevated relationship is designed to foster deeper cooperation in key areas such as defense, technology, and economic development.

The visit provided Modi with an opportunity to establish personal rapport with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong who took over leadership of the city state in mid-May. Singapore complements the new Indian presence stretching from the Nicobar Island chains down to the Straits of Malacca. Already strong in people to people connections and enjoying deep commercial and economic ties, both Singapore and New Delhi have much to gain in joining hands against common threats and challenges.

Singapore remains mutually beneficial for New Delhi, especially in the realm of joint technology development, trade and economic advancement. As India is significantly expanding its semiconductor and chips manufacturing and high end transition, it sees Singapore as a complementing factor in advanced technology capacity that will serve as the base and connecting market synergy for India’s rising digital economy and high technology economic transformation.

Both have identified six pillars (sustainability, digitalisation, skills development, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity) for bilateral cooperation. Enhanced cooperation in defence and security, maritime domain awareness, education, AI, fintech, new technology, science and technology, and knowledge partnership is also in the cards.

The core focus on high technology cooperation is reflected in the  MOU in digital technologies in digital public infrastructure, cyber-security, 5G and emerging technologies such as super-computing, quantum computing and artificial intelligence.

Singapore accounts for 10 per cent of global semiconductor output, 5 percent of global fabrication capacity, and 20 percent of semiconductor equipment production. The cooperation in this chips sector will see a greater foray of Singapore’s companies in India as they seek to capitalise on India’s growing leadership and talent in this field.

Modi marked a new chapter in his strategic geopolitical moves over the past few months since the start of his third term with visits to the region and to Ukraine. All these marked a new frontier for India’s power projection while sending a clear message to allies and adversaries that New Delhi has its own bargaining chips in pursuance of its strategic neutrality while ensuring the best returns for its national security and international interests.

(The author is a Kuala Lumpur-based strategic and security analyst. Views are personal. He can be contacted at collins@um.edu.my)