Divided by land, connected by hearts: Enthusiastic Indian community welcomes PM Modi in Singapore
Singapore, May 31: After having a brief halt at Malaysia and meeting the PM Dr. Mahathir Mohamed to strengthen the relations between the two countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Singapore on his last leg of the East Asia visit. PM Modi will hold talks with the country’s top leadership and deliver a keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Welcomed by the enthusiastic crowd in Singapore, PM Narendra Modi was seen overwhelmed by the friendly and energetic gesture by the members of the Indian community. On his three day visit to Singapore PM Modi has been scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Singapore counterpart Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Prime Minister Modi will call on President Halimah Yacob and will be hosted to an official lunch by PM Lee. An official welcome ceremony will be held in honor of PM Modi on Friday. On the same day, PM Modi will visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens where an orchid will be named in his honor.
PM Modi will also deliver a keynote address at the 17th International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue. During his visit to Singapore PM Modi will participate in wide range of programmes scheduled for the Prime Minister. The visit is considered to be a crucial one for the Act East Policy.
During PM Modi's last visit to Singapore in the year 2015, the robust relationship between India and Singapore had been elevated to a Strategic Partnership wherein the two countries signed a Joint Declaration on a Strategic Partnership on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
India-Singapore relations are based on shared values and approaches, economic opportunities and convergence of interests on key issues. Both countries have a full calendar of more than 20 bilateral mechanisms, dialogues, and exercises, many of which take place annually. Apart from this, the enhanced DCA signed in November 2015 during PM Modi’s visit was sighted to provide an overarching framework for bilateral defense cooperation. This includes the conduct of policy dialogues, working group and staff talks, exercises, training activities, exhibitions, and conferences.