Hamid Ansari concludes 3-day visit to Brunei, leaves for Thailand

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Vice President Hamid Ansari today left for Thailand for the second leg of his two-nation visit after concluding his three-day trip to Brunei during which he held talks with the top leadership of the oil and gas-rich nation and oversaw signing of three agreements.

In the morning, he delivered a lecture at the University of Brunei Darussalam before leaving for the airport onward his journey to Bangkok.

He will head straight to the Government House where he will be accorded an official welcome ceremony. He will also inspect a guard of honour.

Later in the day, he will have a one-to-one meeting with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who will host a banquet in Ansari's honour.

This is the first visit by an Indian Vice President to Thailand after a gap of 50 years.

Ansari will also have an audience with Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and deliver a speech at the Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok on 'From Look East to Act East: India's Partnership with Thailand and ASEAN' besides addressing the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by the Indian Ambassador to Thailand.

In Brunei, Ansari held talks with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, crown prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and Speaker of the State Legislative Council Haji Mohammad Taib.

India and Brunei also signed three agreements on defence cooperation, health and sports and youth affairs.