Singapore – Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a two-day visit to Singapore, where he and his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong, have elevated the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The move marks a significant development in the ties between the two nations.
A Warm Reception and High-Level Discussions
PM Modi’s visit began with a ceremonial red carpet welcome at the Singapore Parliament House, where he also signed the visitor’s book. The visit comes at a pivotal time, with both leaders having recently assumed office—PM Wong earlier this year and PM Modi beginning his third term as India’s prime minister.
Following the warm reception, PM Modi and PM Wong engaged in extensive discussions covering a broad range of topics. According to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the meeting was highly productive. The leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in several key areas, including:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Connectivity
- Digitalisation
- Healthcare & Medicine
- Skills Development
- Sustainability
The two leaders also oversaw the signing of four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), which are expected to deepen bilateral cooperation in the aforementioned sectors.
Further Engagements and Activities
Later in the day, PM Modi will meet with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and will also engage with Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, with Lee hosting a lunch in his honor.
Additionally, PM Modi is scheduled to meet with Singaporean business leaders and interact with those involved in the country’s burgeoning semiconductor industry. The visit will include a tour of a semiconductor manufacturing facility, underscoring the growing importance of technological collaboration between India and Singapore.
Previous and Upcoming Visits
PM Modi’s visit to Singapore follows his recent trip to Brunei, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to the Southeast Asian nation. The warm reception from the Indian community in Singapore highlights the strong ties and mutual respect between the two countries.
The establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership represents a significant milestone in India-Singapore relations, promising enhanced collaboration and shared progress in various critical sectors.
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