PM Modi's Singapore, Brunei Visit Set For Sept; Will India Accept Pakistan's SCO Summit Invite? Know MEA Reply

PM Modi is set to visit Brunei and Singapore in the first week of September. This will be the first time ever that an Indian PM will make a bilateral visit to Brunei.

Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Brunei and Singapore in the first week of September.

Source : PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Brunei and Singapore in the first week of September, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced during a press conference on Friday. PM Modi's visit to Brunei Darussalam will be the first bilateral visit of an Indian PM to the southeast Asian nation. His visit will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The PM will first travel to Brunei on September 3-4, following which he will visit Singapore on September 4-5 at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong. 

"PM Modi at the invitation of his majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is scheduled to visit Brunei during September 3-4. This will be the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian PM to Brunei. The visit coincides with 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei. From Brunei, the PM will thereafter visit Singapore on September 4 and September 5, at the invitation of the PM his excellency Lawrence Wong," Randhir Jaiswal said.

VIDEO | "Today I have an announcement to make regarding the upcoming visit of the PM. PM Modi at the invitation of his majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is scheduled to visit Brunei during September 3-4. This will be the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian PM to Brunei. The… pic.twitter.com/eOD6kq9aSh

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 30, 2024

The MEA spokesperson also confirmed India getting an invitation from Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting."Yes, we have received an invitation from Pakistan for the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) meeting. We don’t have an update on that. We will let you know the situation later," he said.

#WATCH | MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "Yes, we have received an invitation from Pakistan for the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) meeting. We don’t have an update on that. We will let you know the situation later." pic.twitter.com/emA7js8dMB

— ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024

Report On Bangladesh Floods 'Misleading & Factually Incorrect'

Jaiswal further went on to comment on the media report which said India had a part to play in the flood situation in Bangladesh. Calling the report "factually incorrect" and its narrative "misleading", he said: "We have seen the report on the flood situation in Bangladesh. Its narrative is misleading and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods. This is factually not correct and ignores the facts mentioned in the press releases issued by the Government of India clarifying the situation. They have also ignored that we have a regular and timely exchange of data and critical information between the two countries through existing joint mechanisms for water resources management."

VIDEO | "We have seen the report on the flood situation in Bangladesh. Its narrative is misleading and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods. This is factually not correct and ignores the facts mentioned in the press releases issued by the Government of India… pic.twitter.com/Ob3aq6QrtZ

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 30, 2024

'India's Press Release Accurate Record Of PM Modi-Biden Conversation': MEA

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also spoke about the telephonic conversation between PM Modi and US President Joe Biden and the subequent press releases issued by both the countries. 

"Firstly, press releases issued after such conversations between leaders are not like joint statements where every word is negotiated and mutually agreed upon. Secondly, such press releases are not meant to be comprehensive readouts of such conversations. Finally, it is not unusual for two sides to emphasize different aspects of the same conversation in their respective readouts. The absence of an aspect of one press release or the other is not evidence of its absence in the conversation itself," he said.

Jaiswal further said that he was well aware of what Biden and PM Modi spoke about and assured that the press release published by India is an "accurate and faithful record of what transpired in the conversation". "The subject of Bangladesh, which has been highlighted by certain quarters, was very much discussed substantially by both leaders," he added.

#WATCH | On the press release following a telephonic conversation between PM Modi and US President Biden, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "...Firstly, press releases issued after such conversations between leaders are not like joint statements where every word is… pic.twitter.com/0Nv7a31hV0

— ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024

PM Modi's Ukraine Visit To Likely Facilitate Peaceful Conflict Resolution

Commenting on PM Modi's historic visit to Ukraine, Jaiswal said: "As far as we are concerned, we will be guided by the bilateral discussions that we have had with them, including on this high-level visit that just concluded, which we believe will pave the way for stronger bilateral ties, apart from facilitating more forward-looking discussions on the possibility of peaceful resolution of the conflict."

Jaiswal stressed how India has always advocated for a constructive, practical, and solution-oriented engagement with all the stakeholders to achive a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine-Russia war. He also mentioned how PM Modi showed India's readiness to play a role in restoring peace.

"This is evident in our outreach to both Russia and Ukraine at the highest level. PM has already indicated India's willingness to play a constructive role in the interest of peace. However, it is too early to comment on specific modalities and pathways at this stage. The decision as to when and how to commence peace talks is the prerogative of the two parties to the conflict. As friends and partners, we would support any feasible and mutually acceptable solution or format that could restore peace," he added.

#WATCH | Delhi: On Ukraine, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "... We have always advocated constructive, solution-oriented and practical engagement with all stakeholders to achieve a negotiated settlement to this conflict. This is evident in our outreach to both Russia and… pic.twitter.com/u4FjN7x8FC

— ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024