S’pore’s success an inspiration for India: Modi

SINGAPORE — As India builds the country of its dreams, Singapore will remain one of its key partners, and the Republic’s success is an inspiration for the people of his nation, said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a lecture delivered on the first day of his visit to Singapore.

Commending the Republic’s achievements, Mr Modi said: “Singapore’s success became an inspiration for Indians. And, in turn, India became the hope for a more peaceful, balanced and stable world. It is with the same vision that we are pursuing the transformation of India: People are the power behind the change.”

The size of the island nation, Mr Modi said, is no barrier to the scale of its achievements. “The lack of resources is no constraint for inspiration, imagination and innovation. When a nation embraces diversity, it can unite behind a common purpose. International leadership flows from the power of thought and not just from the orthodox measures of strength,” he added.

India will also work with other countries in the region and in East Asia, as well as countries like the United States and Russia, towards “avenues of shared prosperity”, he said, further noting that Asia’s re-emergence is the greatest phenomenon of our era, and ASEAN integration is the anchor of India’s “Act East” policy.

The Singapore Lecture, organised by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and attended by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The audience of 1,000 included ambassadors, senior government officials, business leaders, academics and students.

Mr Modi is in Singapore on a two-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Lee. During the visit, both countries are aiming at deepening ties across various sectors including defence relations, economic and cultural cooperation, skills development and capacity building.

“To the people of Singapore, on the 50 years of independence, I extend greetings of 1.25 billion friends and admirers. I can do no better than to begin with homage to one of the tallest leaders of our times, the architect of modern Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew,” said Mr Modi, who last visited Singapore in March to attend the State Funeral of the late Mr Lee. The prime minister said the late Mr Lee was a personal inspiration for him and that he drew many lessons from his stories.

Highlighting India’s resolve to fight terrorism, Mr Modi also said India will lend its strength to keep the seas safe, secure and free for the benefit of all. “The world must speak in one voice and countries must be held accountable for terror sanctuaries and support … We must delink terrorism from religion,” he added.

An official ceremony hosted by Mr Lee Hsien Loong will be held today to welcome Mr Modi to Singapore. Mr Modi also called on President Tony Tan and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. 

CORRECTION: In an earlier version of this article, we reported that an official ceremony would be held to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of President Tony Tan and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. This is incorrect. Mr Modi called on Dr Tan and met Mr Goh at the Istana. We are sorry for the error.