Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that relations between India and Singapore are not limited to diplomatic circles but are based on shared values, peace and mutual interests. He made these remarks in a joint press conference with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Welcoming Prime Minister Wong on his first visit to India, PM Modi said the visit is special as this year marks the 60th anniversary of India-Singapore relations. He described Singapore as an “important pillar of India’s Act East Policy” and said the two countries, along with ASEAN, will advance peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Meanwhile, PM Modi said that during his visit to Singapore in 2024, the relationship between the two countries was taken to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership. He said that both the pace and strength of dialogue and cooperation have increased in the past year. Apart from this, the PM described Singapore as India’s largest trading partner in South-East Asia and said that large-scale investment has come to India from there. While defense cooperation, people-to-people contact and technological partnership between the two countries are getting stronger.
PM Modi said that today the two countries have prepared a detailed road map for future partnership, which will include areas such as advanced manufacturing, green shipping, skilling, civil nuclear and urban water management along with traditional areas. Describing technology and innovation as the “strong pillars” of India-Singapore relations, he announced increased cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum and other digital technologies.
He described UPI and PayNow as successful examples of digital connectivity and informed that now 13 new Indian banks have joined it. Modi also said that India and Singapore will review the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement and ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in due course. Both the Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the second phase of JN Port-PSA Mumbai Terminal. PM Modi informed that Singapore will cooperate in setting up the National Skills Excellence Center in Chennai, which will prepare skilled manpower for the advanced manufacturing sector.
He also highlighted that GIFT City in Gujarat has become a new bridge connecting the stock markets of India and Singapore, while the Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership Agreement has given a new direction to research and development.
