Singapore, India elevate ties to 'strategic partnership' with signing of key agreements

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India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Singapore on Monday (Nov 23) for a two-day visit to mark 50 years of bilateral relations between the two countries. Despite his packed scheduled, he managed to soak in Little India's Diwali lights. Here are five things he did, including signing a joint declaration with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to elevate India and Singapore relations, and visiting ITE College Central.
Indian PM Narenda Modi and Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong at the signing of MOU on strategic partnership between India and Singapore at the Istana. ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI
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ESM Goh Chok Tong (left) shaking hands with Mr Modi. ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre, left) meeting President Tony Tan Keng Yam (centre, right) on Tuesday (Nov 24). ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG

SINGAPORE - Singapore and India laid out a road map for their future ties, elevating the relationship to a strategic partnership that seeks to promote a peaceful Asia Pacific region as an essential foundation for regional growth and development.

The partnership envisages political exchanges, enhanced defence and security cooperation, boosting trade and investment, enhanced financial linkages, strengthening air connectivity and cooperation in multilateral fora.

Offered to India first when then-Foreign Minister K Shanmugam became one of the first world leaders to meet newly-elected Mr Modi last year, it is the high point of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day official visit to Singapore meant to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties. India was the second nation to recognise Singapore upon independence in 1965.

Earlier Tuesday (Nov 24), Mr Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Istana as he arrived for calls on President Tony Tan Keng Yam, and meetings with ESM Goh Chok Tong and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Clad in grey, Mr Modi arrived to a light drizzle, which Indians consider a good augur.

Mr Lee also hosted lunch for Mr Modi, shortly after they witnessed the signing of nine bilateral documents and the launch of commemorative stamps to mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations.

A joint statement laid out a broad vision for the relationship's development, spanning defence to cultural and people to people exchanges. It also reaffirmed a shared commitment to maritime security and freedom of navigation, as well as safety of sea lanes in accordance with international law, such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The strategic partnership will see regular high-level meetings at the level of Defence Ministers, the continuation of joint military exercises across all three service arms and collaboration in defence technology and co-production of weapons.

Also operationalised on Tuesday was a technical agreement on the sharing of so-called White Shipping Information between the two navies -- information on movements of cargo ships -- and an agreement to cooperate in cyber security.

With Mr Modi pushing infrastructure and smart cities as a key plank of his development strategy, urban solutions -- a key Singapore strength -- has gained salience in the relationship. The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in sustainable smart city development with Mr Modi urging Singapore to explore the possibility of developing urban centres under the Smart Cities Initiative.

Another agreement on civil aviation will open opportunities for collaboration in development of Indian airports.

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