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On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PM Wong will hold wide-ranging talks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Singapore counterpart Lawrence Wong. (PTI file photo)
India and Singapore are set to deepen ties with the signing of five key agreements covering sectors such as shipping, civil aviation, and space during Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s three-day visit to New Delhi, which began on Tuesday.
This marks Wong’s first trip to India as Prime Minister, and officials say the main focus is to expand economic cooperation based on the strong complementarities between the two countries.
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On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PM Wong will hold wide-ranging talks. Following this, they will jointly inaugurate a new container terminal at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva port virtually. The project has seen an investment of over USD 1 billion by the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA International).
The talks are expected to finalise a detailed roadmap to boost cooperation in eight key areas: economic engagement, skills training, digitalisation, sustainability, connectivity, healthcare, medicine, and defence and security.
Sources also said discussions will likely cover joint development of small modular reactors (SMRs) in the civil nuclear sector, a promising area for future collaboration.
Singapore is a major investor in India, with cumulative investments since 2014 reaching an impressive USD 175 billion, including USD 60 billion in the post-Covid period. Singapore is India’s sixth largest trade partner in the 2024-25 financial year, accounting for nearly 3 per cent of India’s total trade.
The relationship is built on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), signed in 2005, which provides the foundation for bilateral economic ties.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday that Wong’s visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of India-Singapore diplomatic relations and highlights the strong and growing comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.
Both leaders are expected to review the progress in cooperation and set the course for future collaboration. They will also discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Wong is accompanied by his spouse and a senior delegation, including Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Transport and Finance Minister Jeffrey Siow. During his visit, PM Wong will also meet India’s President Droupadi Murmu.
Ahead of the visit, the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) was held in New Delhi on August 13, with top ministers from both sides preparing for the discussions.
Looking ahead, the two countries are exploring projects such as exporting solar energy from India to Singapore via an underwater cable, which could also enhance data connectivity. However, a feasibility study noted challenges in laying the cable due to the Andaman Trench.
Other proposals include exporting green ammonia and green hydrogen from India to Singapore, showcasing a commitment to sustainable development.
(With inputs from PTI)
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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