How is Singapore PM Advocating for Enhanced Educational and Skill Development Collaboration with India?

New Delhi, Sep 4 (NationPress) Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi on Thursday, focusing on enhancing collaboration between the two nations in the domains of education and skill development.

"Engaged in a productive discussion with India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on advancing cooperation in education and skills development — a crucial element of our robust bilateral relationship," Wong shared on X following their meeting.

Earlier that day, Wong also conferred with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, where they deliberated on broadening collaboration in trade and investment, advanced manufacturing, connectivity, digitalization, healthcare, skilling, sustainability, defense, and security, as well as cultural ties. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal remarked that the leaders exchanged views on various regional and global matters of shared concern.

"Strengthening the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership! PM Modi and PM Wong conducted extensive and productive discussions at Hyderabad House today. Talks centered on enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, advanced manufacturing, connectivity, digitalization, healthcare, skilling, sustainability, defense, security, and cultural exchanges. They also reviewed regional and global issues of shared interest. The two Prime Ministers agreed on a roadmap for the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which will guide the future of our bilateral collaboration," Jaiswal stated on X.

During their discussions, PM Modi and Wong concurred on implementing a roadmap for the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which will outline the vision and trajectory for the upcoming phase of their bilateral relationship.

The joint statement from India and Singapore read, "Both Prime Ministers reaffirmed the commitment to elevate bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) during Prime Minister Modi’s official visit to Singapore in September 2024. They resolved to adopt a forward-thinking and substantive roadmap for the CSP, focusing on enhancing cooperation in eight key areas: economic collaboration, skills development, digitalization, sustainability, connectivity, healthcare, cultural exchanges, and defense cooperation."

The two countries will persist in dialogue and aim to initiate the Third Review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and achieve substantial progress on the ASEAN India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) by 2025. India and Singapore will work together to develop sustainable industrial parks and advanced manufacturing capabilities through partnerships, government collaborations in knowledge sharing, capacity training, green standards, master planning, and promotion.

Furthermore, both nations will enhance partnerships between their business communities, particularly in sectors that align with their bilateral cooperation agenda, and increase business-to-business interactions like the India-Singapore Business Roundtable (ISBR), as mentioned in the joint statement.

India and Singapore committed to fostering joint endeavors in the space industry, collaborating between the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) and Singapore’s Office for Space Technology and Industry, as well as nurturing both countries’ space industries through shared policies, legal frameworks, and research activities in areas of mutual interest, such as Earth observation and satellite communication technologies.

The nations also agreed to bolster legal and dispute resolution cooperation to address the business needs of both sides, involving relevant ministries in both India and Singapore. They plan to enhance Digital Finance and Fintech collaboration, along with cybersecurity initiatives and capital market linkages, via the Fintech Joint Working Group.

India and Singapore are set to collaborate on green and sustainable projects within international frameworks such as the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance. They also agreed to explore partnerships in urban water management and civil nuclear sectors.

Recognizing the increasing travel demand between their countries, PM Modi and Wong urged the civil aviation authorities to discuss expanding the bilateral Air Services Agreement to improve air connectivity. They committed to enhancing cooperation on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to promote cleaner energy solutions in the aviation industry.

The India-Singapore Joint Statement emphasized, "Continuing cooperation in maritime security and submarine rescue, while closely working within regional security frameworks and the principles outlined in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific; enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness between respective Information Fusion Centres, including through International Liaison Officers; and acknowledging India’s interest in the Malacca Straits Patrol."

Both nations reiterated their unwavering commitment to combating terrorism, including cross-border threats. The joint statement declared, "Reaffirming a strong resolve against terrorism in all its forms, both countries will intensify cooperation to address global and regional terrorism and terrorist entities, including those recognized by the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee, and combat terror financing through bilateral and multilateral platforms."