‘Right time to take India-Singapore relations to the next level’, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s statement
New Delhi| Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Brunei and Singapore on Tuesday. Regarding the Prime Minister’s visit to Singapore, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that now the time has come when India and Singapore together take their bilateral relations to the next level. The Foreign Minister said that ‘the way the world is changing, there is a need to make the relations between the two countries more contemporary. This is why the Prime Minister has decided to visit Singapore early in his third term.’
Speaking to the Singapore media, the Foreign Minister said that relations between India and Singapore have strengthened significantly in the last two decades. Just as Singapore had a chance in the years 1992 and 2006, Singapore should seize this opportunity as well. He said that Prime Minister Modi has always had special feelings for Singapore and that is why a lot of leadership engagement has been seen. It is noteworthy that Jaishankar has also been India’s High Commissioner to Singapore during his stay in the Indian Foreign Service.
S Jaishankar said that India and Singapore can increase cooperation in the field of future technology like semiconductor, green technology and electric mobility. Besides, there can be discussion on increasing cooperation in the field of energy and connectivity. Recently, a round table conference was held between India and Singapore, in which discussions were held to increase cooperation between the two countries. Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar also participated in the conference. Jaishankar said that India’s role will increase in the changing situation in the world and it will be in the interest of Singapore and ASEAN countries. Besides, the role of the Indian origin community in ASEAN and Gulf countries is also important and its importance will increase in the coming days. Singapore is an important country in India’s Act East policy.
