As on 14 November 2023
High Commission of India
Brunei Darussalam
Indian Community in Brunei Darussalam
The Indian diaspora in Brunei Darussalam spans well over decades, the first of them having arrived beginning the 1930s. The successive waves of migrants since have enriched this process further.
2. Indian professionals in the fields of education, medical, engineering, construction, trading, retail have redefined this process further, deepening the Indian footprint in this island nation.
3. Presently, there are approximately 15,000 Indians living in Brunei Darussalam out of the total population of about 453,000. More than half of the Indian expatriates are semi and unskilled workers, who work in oil & gas industries construction, retail businesses etc. A substantial number of the doctors in Brunei Darussalam are from India. There is a goodwill and respect for Indian professionals particularly Teachers and Doctors in Brunei. Other professionals include engineers, IT professionals etc. Indian businessmen represent a healthy share of Brunei Darussalam’s textiles market. Ordinary Bruneians appreciate the role played by hard-working Indians and tend to be supportive of the community.
4. There are five major Indian Associations, in Brunei Darussalam viz. Bandar Seri Begawan Indian Association (BSBIA); Malayali Association (MA); Indian Association Belait (IAB); Telugu Association (TA) and Sikh Association. Indian Chamber of Commerce and Brunei-India Friendship Association (BIFA) are also registered entities. Indian Associations celebrate Indian festivals viz: Diwali, Pongal, Onam as well as Independence Day and Republic Day.
5. Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardees:
(i) Mr. Mohinder Singh, an NRI, who later on became a Bruneian citizen, was the first recipient of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) 2010 for providing countless employment opportunities to Indian nationals in Brunei Darussalam.
(ii) Mr. Nazeer Ahamed Zackariah, a prominent Indian businessman in Brunei Darussalam was the second recipient of PBSA in 2016 for his outstanding achievements in the fields of community service and business world.
(iii) Dr. Alexander Maliakel John, a renowned Indian Gastroenterologist in Brunei who has received the third Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award in 2023 for his extraordinary contribution in Gastroenterology and Endoscopic services in the government hospitals of Brunei Darussalam.
*****
