Over the past year, Singapore has been working closely with the state government of Rajasthan to set up a training centre in Udaipur, a top tourist destination known for its lakes and palaces.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who begins a five-day working visit to India today, will attend the launch of the Centre of Excellence for Tourism Training (CETT) in Udaipur, a collaboration between the Republic and Rajasthan, on Thursday.

The centre will train students in the various aspects of the tourism and hospitality sector. The response so far has been good.

Professor Ashok Singh, a member of the CETT, said: "There is a lot of response even though admission season is over.

"Students and parents are coming continually to register. The response is because of the Singapore connection."

About 400 students have registered for the CETT's five courses - food production, food and beverage services, housekeeping, front office, and travel and tourism. Classes are likely to start at the Mohanlal Sukhadia University campus next month, said Prof Singh.

The curriculum is prepared by Singapore's Institute of Technical Education Education Services.

The Udaipur project is part of the skills development collaboration under the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership signed in November last year.

The western state of Rajasthan, with a population of about 73 million, is an emerging state with improving infrastructure, good law and order, and progressive policies.

A 2014 visit to Singapore by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who officials said has been keen on collaborations with Singapore, set the foundation for the skills initiative.

This has been followed by partnerships in other areas. Singapore is providing help in developing two new townships in Rajasthan, and has undertaken a programme to train 100 government officials in water management.

On her state's growing ties with Singapore, Ms Raje said last year: "This is a friendship that is going to endure."

Nirmala Ganapathy