Singapore PM Lawrence Wong and PM Narendra Modi (ANI image)
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held bilateral meting with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. This marks a major step forward in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.PM Modi also thanked Wong and the Singapore government for expressing condolences after the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians. “We have common concerns about terrorism. We believe that it is the duty of all humanitarian countries to fight terrorism in solidarity. I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Wang and the Singapore government for their condolences to the people of India after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and for their support in our fight against terrorism,” he said during the joint press conference. The meeting coincides with the 60th anniversary of India–Singapore diplomatic ties. Wong, who arrived on a three-day official visit earlier this week, also met external affairs minister S Jaishankar, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP national president JP Nadda.External affairs minister S Jaishankar, in a post on X, said he was “pleased to call on” Singapore PM Lawrence Wong in New Delhi and appreciated his “constant encouragement” for stronger India–Singapore ties. He expressed confidence that Wong’s talks with PM Modi would help “chart a roadmap for the nation’s ties. PM Modi: “Partnership with purpose”Welcoming Wong on his first visit as prime minister, PM Modi said India and Singapore share a “ partnership with purpose, rooted in shared values, guided by mutual interests, and driven by a common vision for peace, progress, and prosperity.”He stressed that Singapore is India’s largest trade partner in Southeast Asia and a strong pillar of New Delhi’s Act East Policy. The two sides, also share common concerns over terrorism and must fight the threat together in solidarity.Key agreements signedThe leaders oversaw the inauguration of the second phase of PSA International’s Mumbai Container Terminal, while also announcing new cooperation in green and digital shipping corridors. PM Modi said the pact would boost green fuel supply chains and digital port clearance systems.The two sides also signed agreements on space collaboration, advanced manufacturing, skilling and digital technologies, including AI and quantum computing. PM Modi announced that 13 new Indian banks have joined the UPI–PayNow cross-border payments system and confirmed the next India–Singapore Hackathon will take place later this year.Both leaders agreed to a time-bound review of the Bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and India’s free trade pact with ASEAN, aiming to accelerate trade and investment.Expanding cooperationPM Modi highlighted Singapore’s role in semiconductor research, investments in GIFT City and support for setting up a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Chennai. He said the partnership would expand into “advanced manufacturing, civil nuclear energy, and urban water management.”Wong: “Glad to be back in India”Expressing gratitude for the “warm and gracious hospitality,” Wong said he was glad to celebrate 60 years of enduring friendship on his first official India visit as Prime Minister. “ Over this past decade, India has made remarkable advances under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. India is now the fourth-largest economy in the world, with a dynamism and influence felt far beyond its borders,” Wong said.He emphasised Singapore’s position as the largest foreign investor in India, accounting for nearly a quarter of FDI inflows and highlighted cooperation across diverse fields.Space, innovation and people-to-people tiesWong announced a new MoU on space collaboration, noting that more than 20 Singapore-made satellites have already been launched from India.”Through the MoU on promoting collaboration in the space sector, we will broaden this partnership and push the boundaries of what we can achieve together,” he said.He reaffirmed that people-to-people ties remain the “bedrock” of the bilateral relationship and pledged to deepen exchanges, including in civil service training.Singapore PM pays homage at RajghatWong and his wife Loo Tze Lui also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in New Delhi on Wednesday by laying a wreath.In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “PM Lawrence Wong of Singapore paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi by laying a wreath at Raj Ghat. Bapu’s universal ideals of truth and non-violence continue to inspire us.” Go to Source
