Taking their bilateral ties to the next level, India and Singapore are expected to sign a strategic partnership pact during prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit to that country from November 23 to 25.
The broad contours of the agreement were also discussed during the fourth India-Singapore joint ministerial committee meeting held here on Tuesday. It was co-chaired by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and her Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan.
The strategic partnership agreement would comprise expansion of cooperation in five main areas: Scaling up investment and trade; speeding up air and maritime connectivity; smart city development and urban rejuvenation; skills development and capacity building, and state focus on strengthening business and cultural links, according to a press release issued by the Singapore High Commission.
“The strategic partnership will come with deliverables and concrete outcomes, with focus on urban solutions, smart cities and knowledge and skill transfer,” Balakrishnan told reporters after the meeting.
Balakrishnan also highlighted the need to enhance connectivity between India and Singapore, particularly in the aviation sector.
He also highlighted Singapore’s contributions to India in the areas of smart cities and skills development.
“Both ministers agreed on the need to enhance economic cooperation, including expanding trade and investment between both countries,” the release stated.
This will be Modi’s second visit to Singapore as India’s prime minister. He last went there in September to attend the funeral of Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew.
Singapore is planning for a similar reception Modi had received in San Jose in US last month. He has also been chosen to deliver the prestigious “Singapore Lecture” during the visit.
