WASHINGTON - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was received with an enhanced honour cordon at the Pentagon on Monday (Aug 1), as he arrived for a meeting with US Defence Secretary Ash Carter.
The honour cordon, which includes a guard of honour and a US military band playing the national anthem of the visiting country, is reserved for America's closest partners.
PM Lee is holding several meetings with US administration officials on Monday. Apart from Secretary Carter, he is also meeting Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker. He will also be speaking at a reception organised by the US Chamber.
The Prime Minister also earlier laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony there started with 19-gun salute.
On Sunday evening, Mr and Mrs Lee celebrated an early National Day with more than 500 Singaporeans at the Singapore embassy in Washington, DC.
PM Lee is in the United States for an official visit and will be hosted to a state dinner by US President Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday (Wednesday morning Singapore time).
Accompanying PM Lee are Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S. Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Chan Chun Sing, and Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung.
Three MPs are also in the delegation: Mr Christopher de Souza, Ms Rahayu Mahzam and Nominated MP Chia Yong Yong.
