Seven top leaders among foreign dignitaries at NDP

Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (centre) will be one of the foreign dignitaries from 18 countries attending today's National Day Parade. PHOTO: REUTERS

Seven heads of state and government will be among foreign dignitaries from 18 countries attending today's National Day Parade.

They include Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak, Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.

Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry said yesterday that all foreign guests invited are members of the East Asia Summit and United Kingdom.

Other foreign dignitaries and senior foreign representatives include Chinese Vice-President Li Yuanchao, Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, who is here as Queen Elizabeth's representative.

It is the first time since 1969 that foreign leaders are attending the NDP. Before heading to the Padang for the evening parade, they will be hosted to lunch at the Istana by President Tony Tan Keng Yam.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Foreign Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam will also be at the lunch.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on August 09, 2015, with the headline Seven top leaders among foreign dignitaries at NDP. Subscribe