Vice president leaves on Brunei, Thailand visit

New Delhi, Feb 1: Vice President Hamid Ansari left on Monday for a five-day visit to Brunei and Thailand. This will be the first visit by an Indian vice president to Brunei and the first in 50 years to Thailand. During his visit to Brunei from February 1 to 3, he will meet the Sultan of Brunei Hassal Bolkiah. “Brunei has become an important partner and ally for India in the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian tions),” Anil Wadhwa, secretary (east) in the exterl affairs ministry, told the media here ahead of the visit. “Brunei has played a very important role as India-Asean coorditor from 2013 to 2015,” he added. Brunei supported India’s stand on Jammu and Kashmir and its candidature for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. (IANS)