Singapore: Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon be on an official visit to Singapore. He said this after a high-level meeting here between senior ministers of India and Singapore to advance strategic relations. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Foreign Minister S. A four-member Indian delegation, including Jaishankar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, attended the second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) here on Monday to discuss bilateral cooperation and exchange views on issues of mutual interest. Took part.
Date of PM Modi’s visit not decided
Describing the meeting of ministers as “positive”, Balakrishnan said that this has also set the stage for Prime Minister Modi’s official visit to Singapore. He said here, “We are also working on this because very soon we will also announce the official visit of Prime Minister Modi to Singapore. I can’t tell you the exact date, but it’s going to happen soon.” Balakrishnan said advanced manufacturing and semiconductors as well as aviation and maritime connectivity are new areas that Singapore and India have included at this high-level forum to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation.
Growing partnership with India in many fields
On Monday, the Indian-origin minister said the two countries want to cooperate on advanced manufacturing and semiconductors. This is an area in which India wants to expand significantly, and in which Singapore is contributing far beyond its potential. Singapore’s Foreign Minister said that there is potential for tremendous growth in the aviation sector in India in the coming years, with India placing orders for more than 1,000 aircraft last year alone. He said this presents great opportunities for services like maintenance and air operations in the coming years. This is another specific area where Singapore and its companies are globally competitive. He said, “The country with more than 1.4 billion people is now moving towards a massive reform of its aviation sector. This is a once in two, three decades opportunity, and it’s good that we are kind of on the front lines and we have a chance (to collaborate).”