Singapore: Former Singapore PM said – opportunities are visible in India’s progress
New Delhi| Singapore is seeing opportunities for itself in India’s rapid progress. Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore’s Prime Minister for 20 years, has said this. During a meeting with the Indian business community on Saturday, Loong said that ‘India is progressing rapidly. Singapore has a reputation in India and we have had very good relations with all Indian governments According to Singapore media reports, the former PM said that Singapore is looking at increasing bilateral trade with India, skill training and increasing cooperation in sectors like fintech as an opportunity.
The former PM said that Singapore is also exploring investment opportunities in sectors like health services, digital and green energy in India. Lee also mentioned the two-decade-old Singapore-India Free Trade Agreement between India and Singapore and said it has helped promote trade, investment and travel relations between the two countries. He also pointed out that Singapore is heavily dependent on immigrants and foreign workers to increase its population and talent pool. Therefore, people coming to Singapore ‘must be managed with utmost sensitivity and caution, so that these flows remain balanced and sustainable’
In Singapore too, resentment is increasing among the local people regarding migrant and foreign workers. Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Singapore Indian Development Association (CINDA) and 14 other Indian community organizations, Lee said, ‘We must also stand firm against fanatical nationalism and hatred towards foreign people and welcome newcomers to be part of our extended family’
He said that this is a continuous process which takes time but gradually migrants will also integrate into the local community. He stressed that this is how Singapore’s identity can be maintained and enriched and an integrated and inclusive society can be created that is connected to the world, strong and not divided by our diversity. Lee also appreciated the progress of the Indian community and mentioned their remarkable contribution in many fields. He said that even though the community is small, it has played a vital role in Singaporean society and has worked with other communities to contribute in many ways. People of Indian origin account for about nine percent of Singapore’s population of 6 million.
