Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Singapore both as a partner and an inspiration for the developing world. He termed the newly formed ministerial roundtable between India and Singapore as “path-breaking”.
During the meeting, PM Modi thanked the Singapore Prime Minister for the warmth with which he was welcomed. He congratulated Wong on his new assignment and said, “Under your leadership, Singapore will continue its fast progress.”
“Singapore is not just a partner country; it’s an inspiration for every developing nation,” Modi said. He said, “We dream of emulating the success of Singapore in India and are glad that we are working together in this direction. The ministerial roundtable we have established is a pioneering mechanism.”
PM Modi spotlighted the fields in which India and Singapore are cooperating: digitalization, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity. He said this is something that has come to be a kind of signature for the India-Singapore ministerial roundtable.
“The partnership focuses on skilling, digitalization, mobility, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI, healthcare, sustainability, and cybersecurity,” he said while trying to make these areas the central part of the identity of the initiative.
Besides EAM Muraleedharan, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Secretary East in the Ministry of External Affairs Jaideep Mazumdar, and MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal were among the attendees.
Earlier today, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome at the Parliament House in Singapore. He was given a warm reception by the Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. He signed the visitors’ book.
Modi and Wong were accompanied by ministers and delegates from the two countries. Modi, who arrived in Singapore on Wednesday, has a day full of engagements. The PM is set to engage in several more activities today to strengthen India-Singapore relations. He will visit AEM Holdings Ltd’s semiconductor facility with Prime Minister Wong. In the afternoon, Modi will attend a lunch hosted by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He will also meet with Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. There is a business meeting with Chief Executive Officers lined up before he returns to New Delhi.
On Wednesday, PM Modi met his counterpart Lawrence Wong of Singapore. Modi exuded happiness over the meeting thus: “Happy to have met my friend, PM Lawrence Wong. We had an excellent discussion on a wide range of issues. India cherishes its friendship with Singapore.”
Wong had also taken a picture of their dinner on X, welcoming Modi to dinner at the Istana, which is the official residence and office of the President of Singapore. He said, “Welcome PM Narendra Modi to Singapore! Delighted to catch up over a meal at the Istana before our official meetings tomorrow.”
The Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said that Prime Minister Modi’s visit would further cement the India-Singapore relationship: “Fortifying India-Singapore bonds of friendship. PM Narendra Modi was warmly hosted by PM Lawrence Wong at the iconic Sri Temasek in Singapore. An evening cherishing the deep and longstanding India-Singapore ties awaits,” he tweeted on X.
Singaporean Minister for Home Affairs and Law, K. Shanmugam, welcomed him at Changi Airport on Wednesday. Modi got a rousing welcome from the Indian community, gave autographs, and tried his hand at playing the dhol. On X, he shared photos and said: “Thank you, Singapore! Vibrant welcome!”
PM Modi had gone to Brunei before coming to Singapore. He also had held extensive discussions with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman on ways to deepen ties. Modi inaugurated the new Chancery of the High Commission of India in Brunei’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan and visited the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque on Tuesday as part of his historic visit to Brunei.
ANI