#ModiinSingapore: Words of PM Modi bridged "the two lions" to set a golden future goal

NewsBharati    01-Jun-2018
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Singapore, June 1: After a warm welcome in Singapore, PM Modi spoke in a Business-cum-Community Event which not only inspired people but attracted them and became a bridge between the people of Singapore and India.



 

"Political relations between India and Singapore are among the warmest and closest. There are no contests or claims, no irritants or doubts. It is a natural partnership from a shared vision," Modi told the Indian diaspora.

PM Modi further added, "When India opened up to the world and turned to the East, Singapore became a partner and a bridge between India and ASEAN."

Stating that India often hosts Singaporean naval ships, PM Modi said the two nations speak in one voice at international forums.

Emphasizing on the presence of Indian Language in Singapore, PM Modi said, “Tamil is an official language here. But, it is a testimony to Singapore’s spirit that school children can also learn five other Indian languages. The city throbs with the finest of Indian culture. This is as much due to the talented Indian community as to the support from Singapore Government.”

Highlighting on the Indian religions here, Modi said that No other city in the world could have this Yogic intensity. Institutions like Sri Ramakrishna Mission and Sri Narayana Mission have been here for decades. In their service to society, without distinction between people, reflect the values that bind India and Singapore.

 

“In their journey through Singapore and the region, the greatest of Indian thinkers Swami Vivekananda and poet Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore found a common chord that connects India to the East. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s call to march for India’s freedom from the soil of Singapore -दिल्ली चलो- is an enduring flame in the heart of every Indian” he added.

PM Modi spoke on Indo-Singapore relations, “In many areas of India’s development priorities, Singapore is a key partner: smart cities, urban solutions, financial sector, skills development, ports, logistics, aviation and industrial parks. Our IT companies are helping Singapore stay smart and competitive.”

“As Singapore shapes a new future for itself, India emerges as the new global frontier of opportunities. Even in a year of deep structural reforms like the introduction of Goods and Services Tax, we remain the fastest growing major economy in the world” PM Modi added.

 
 

PM Modi highlighted on ten points to strengthen the relations of India and Singapore in many fields:

Foreign investors can go into almost all sectors, often with up to 100% equity. Indeed, more than 90% of investments in India are through this route.

Tax regime has changed: lower tax rates, increased stability, faster resolution of tax disputes and electronic filing systems. Goods and Services Tax is the biggest tax reform since independence It has unified the nation into a single market and increased the tax base.

Indian infrastructure sector is expanding at record speed. Last year, India built nearly 10 thousand kilometers of national highways – that is 27 kilometers daily.

Indian manufacturing sector is rebounding. There has been a sharp rise in FDI in the past three years – from 36 billion U.S.dollars in 2013-14 to 60 billion U.S.dollars in 2016-17. There is also special focus on the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Sector

India is strongly focussed on financial inclusion. In the course of the past three years, India have opened 316 million bank accounts for those who never had a bank account. Now, 99% of Indian house-holds have a bank account.

A digital revolution is sweeping through India. Through a biometric identity for everyone, a mobile phone in almost every pocket, and a bank account in everyone’s reach, every Indian’s life is getting transformed.

India will experience the largest wave of urbanisation in the world over the next two decades. It is a challenge, but also a huge responsibility and opportunity.

India is investing in skills and raising the standards of higher education to give a life of dignity and opportunity for our 800 million youth. With learning from Singapore, we are setting up advanced Institutes of Skill Development.

Agriculture sector is receiving a level of priority that it has not since the Green Revolution decades ago. We aim to double the income of farmers by 2022.

India wants every citizen to enjoy ‘Ease of Living’ by 2022. It means, for example, 50 million new houses so that there is roof over every head in 2022.

At the end PM Modi ended with these words “Two lions (India and Singapore) shall step into the future together.”