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Singapore, India sign pact to elevate ties

SINGAPORE — Singapore and India today (Nov 24) elevated bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signing a joint declaration to foster greater regional stability and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Istana today (Nov 24). The two leaders signed bilateral documents on defence, aviation, culture, urban governance, security and capacity-building. Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Istana today (Nov 24). The two leaders signed bilateral documents on defence, aviation, culture, urban governance, security and capacity-building. Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — Singapore and India today (Nov 24) elevated bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signing a joint declaration to foster greater regional stability and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

“The Strategic Partnership is a framework to contribute to greater regional stability and growth, deepen existing areas of cooperation and catalyse new ones,” said the two leaders in joint statement. 

Mr Lee and Mr Modi also noted the two countries’ “shared history, long tradition of friendship based on trust and mutual respect, and extensive cooperation across a wide range of areas”.

As part of the deal to boost ties, both sides agreed to expand political exchanges, defence and security cooperation, trade and investment links as well as air connectivity, among others. 

As part of his two-day official visit to the Republic, Mr Modi received a ceremonial welcome at the Istana in the morning, before he called on President Tony Tan Keng Yam. Mr Modi also met with Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. 

Mr Lee hosted Mr Modi to lunch after they witnessed the signing of nine bilateral documents on defence, aviation, culture, urban governance, security and capacity building as well as the launch of commemorative stamps to mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two nations.

Together with Mr Lee, Mr Modi then visited ITE College Central to better understand Singapore’s approach to vocational training. The Indian Premier visited the Maritime Training Centre, ITE’s aerospace and precision engineering hub.  

Raising a toast during lunch, Mr Lee said that India has been very much a part of Singapore’s history, and today, the Republic has a thriving community of Indians who are well-integrated in the community and form an essential part of the country’s multi-racial, multi-religious mix. 

“Long before the term ‘soft power’ was coined, Indian influences left their mark on our traditions and landscape,” said Mr Lee as he noted that even the names of countries in the region like Indonesia and Indo-China attest to India’s far reaching influence. 

“We believe India is a great Asian country that has a lot to contribute to the region and we wish India well in its reforms and development… We hope to develop our economic cooperation, air links, and broader cooperation and we are happy to support India’s development where we can, because this is a mutually beneficial relationship.”

On his part, Mr Modi referred to Singapore as “Asia’s economic lion” and said that the city state is a major partner in almost every area of India’s transformation. “The Asiatic Lion can now be found only in Gujarat, but Asia’s economic lion is here in Singapore,” Mr Modi said.

Singapore, Mr Modi added, is the metaphor of the reality of dreams and city country achieved it without a vast expanse of territory, or the gifts of nature.  “There is no other place in the world like Singapore…. For this region, it is a symbol of aspiration for people, and a source of inspiration for nations around the world,” Mr Modi added. 

One of key agreements inked in the morning was by Defence Minister Mr Ng Eng Hen and his Indian counterpart Mr Manohar Parrikar on revised Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) under an Enhanced Defence Partnership. As part of the revised DCA, both sides agreed to regular Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, enhance bilateral training and exercises between the two armed forces besides cooperation in areas of common interest, such as in maritime security. 

Mr Modi presented Mr Lee a reproduction of a topographical map of Singapore in 1849. The reproduction was done from the cartographic collection of the National Archives of India, New Delhi.

Mr Lee’s gift to Mr Modi at the Istana was the front page of Tamil Murasu dated Aug 11, 1965, that carried the news of the recognition of Singapore by India, which was among the first few countries to officially recognise Singapore.

Mr Modi connected with Singapore business leaders at the India-Singapore Economic Convention in the evening hosted by Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran before his address to Indian nationals in Singapore at night in a private event.

 

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