Vice President Hamid Ansari tonight said the 10,000-strong Indian community in Brunei has helped building bridges between their country of birth and their country of work.
Addressing the Indian community at a reception hosted in his honour here, Ansari said people of India have rendered commendable service to Brunei, be it in the field of education, medicine, engineering or other services.
"I have read about the high regard in which Indians are held in Brunei. And it was heartening to know that each and every person I met during my short visit to this country praised India," he said.
He later posed for photographs and selfies with the Indian community members.
Ansari is on a three-day visit to Brunei and will leave for Thailand tomorrow for the last leg of his two-nation tour.
Among those present at the event was Mohinder Singh, an NRI and now a Bruneian citizen. He is believed to be the first Indian to come and settle in Brunei.
Singh was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2010 for his achievements in the field of community service.
Majority of teachers and doctors in Brunei are from India. Other professionals include engineers, IT professionals and bankers.
There are also Indian businessmen in textiles, hardware and electronics.
Besides, more than half of the Indian expatriates are semi and unskilled workers.
High Commissioner of India to Brunei, Nagma Mohamed Mallick said that Indians have not only made this country their home but have also contributed significantly to its progress.
She said there are three Indian associations in Brunei and Indian doctors and teachers are held in very high esteem.
