By Marina Abdullah Sitau
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Monday 27 August 2012 – The United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and Southeast Asia, Mr. Vikram J. Singh, is currently on a working visit to Brunei Darussalam where he had a courtesy call to His Excellency Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, Deputy Minister of Defence Brunei Darussalam, yesterday, at Dato Mustappa’s residence. Accompanying the United States Deputy Assistant Secretary was His Excellency Mr. Daniel L. Shields, United States’ Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Brunei Darussalam and other senior members of the United States’ delegation.
Mr Vikram Singh also had a courtesy call to the Acting Permanent Secretary (Defence Policy and Development) Brunei Darussalam, Mohd Sahrip bin Othman this morning at the Bolkiah Garrison, Berakas, followed with a separate courtesy call to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Joint Force Commander, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Abd Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit in the afternoon at the Rizqun Hotel, Gadong.
Brunei Darussalam and the United States had the opportunity to have open and frank discussions on a wide range of matters important to both countries including bilateral and regional security and defence cooperation within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation which was signed between Brunei Darussalam and the United States in 1994.
Brunei Darussalam and the United States enjoy close and cordial defence ties, which include exchange of visits, exercises, dialogue and training.