From correspondents in Delhi, India, 01:30 AM IST

India has favoured a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on manpower supply with the oil-rich Southeast Asian nation of Brunei Darussalam.

The suggestion was made by Indian leaders during their talks with Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, who arrived Tuesday on a four-day visit to India.

He met President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday.

The external affairs ministry Thursday noted that India appreciated Brunei's support for the local Indian community, which consists of professionals and businesspersons, who have "contributed to the economic development of Brunei Darussalam".

Brunei acknowledged the contribution of Indians, upon which India "underlined" the need to sign an MoU on labour to facilitate manpower supply.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)