| In Short |
| PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Brunei, marking 40 years of diplomatic relations. |
| Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah owns over 7,000 cars, including 600 Rolls-Royces, and is one of the wealthiest monarchs in the world. |
| The Sultan’s car collection is valued at $5 billion, with unique vehicles like a gold-plated Rolls-Royce Silver Spur II. |
| The Sultan resides in the world’s largest residential palace, Istana Nurul Iman, spanning over two million square feet. |
| PM Modi’s visit aims to strengthen ties with Brunei in space, defense, and trade, aligning with India’s “Act East” policy. |
A Historic Diplomatic Visit
The visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will mark many firsts for an Indian Prime Minister as he travels to the small, influential Southeast Asian nation of Brunei. This visit marks 40 years of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei, and it is likely that the visit will firm up bilateral ties in space, defense, and trade. Invited by Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, the visit also underlines the Bruneian monarch’s notoriously extravagant lifestyle and vast wealth; indeed, he owns one of the most impressive car collections in the world.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah: A Monarch with a Passion for Cars
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, whose rule has only been outlived thus far by that of UK Queen Elizabeth II, is appreciated for much more than his rule; he is celebrated for his greater-than-life lot and lifestyle. With an estimated net worth of $30 billion-courtesy of Brunei’s fattened oil and gas reserves-the Sultan’s sheer luxury travels well out of his official duties into his personal passions, none bigger than his love for cars.
Indeed, the Sultan’s pool of cars is an astonishing 7,000-strong, considered to be the largest private car collection in the world. Estimated at a value of around US$5 billion, with an estimated 600 Rolls-Royces, 450 Ferraris, 380 Bentleys, and a host of others from ultra-luxury brands, it was listed in the Guinness World Records as the biggest collection, especially of Rolls-Royce.
Notable Cars in the Sultan’s Collection
However, some of these cars have novelty features and exaggerated modifications. There is the Bentley Dominator SUV, worth about $80 million; this is an extremely rare luxury car that just a few people around the world own. Then there is the 24-carat gold-plated Rolls-Royce Silver Spur II-a true testimony to the Sultan’s love for the good life. Apart from this, he has a Porsche 911 with Horizon Blue paint with an X88 power package, further epitomizing his taste for the rare and high-performance vehicle breed.
The most talked-about is his custom-designed Rolls-Royce with an open roof and an umbrella, which is very ornate in gold. This car was specially made for his daughter Princess Majededah’s wedding in 2007 and emphasizes the Sultan’s yearning to attach milestones of his life with luxury.
Beyond Cars: The Sultan’s Lavish Lifestyle
The Sultan’s extravagance isn’t confined to the contents of his garage. He resides in Istana Nurul Iman Palace, which makes its way into the Guinness World Records as the largest residential palace in the world. It covers over two million square feet and is plated with 22-carat gold; 1,700 rooms, 257 bathrooms, five swimming pools, and 110 garages make up this palace. This is a village also complete with a private zoo, replete with 30 Bengal tigers and several species of birds, that show the Sultan’s diverse tastes for the finer things in life.
He has a Boeing 747 aircraft he usually uses in attending to official and personal trips, securing in his reputation of being one of the richest and most influential monarchs across the world.
The Significance of PM Modi’s Visit
A proposed visit by PM Modi to Brunei is very critical at a time when India is trying to engage with Southeast Asia. The visit promises to be an important one, with discussions on space cooperation, defense partnerships, and trade agreements. Brunei is an important partner for India due to its strategic location and richness in natural resources. Strengthening ties with Brunei also falls in line with India’s greater “Act East” policy aimed at fostering closer ties with its eastern neighbors.
A Meeting of Leaders
With PM Modi preparing to meet Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the world is aglow with curiosity. If this visit brings diplomatic relations between India and Brunei into the limelight, then it also brings forth the rather extra-ordinary way of life that the Sultan leads-from a record number of cars in the garage to the really majestic palace that the Sultan possesses, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has remained a figure of intrigue and admiration on the global stage. In years to come, this historic visit may very well form the foundation for stronger bilateral relations and close coordination in practically all spheres of activity between the two countries.
For Latest News Updates, Click Here.