Why is the partnership with India so crucial amidst global turbulence? Singapore PM explains

New Delhi, Sep 4 (NationPress) Emphasizing that the alliance between India and Singapore is founded on shared values, mutual respect, and a deep reservoir of trust, Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong declared on Thursday that this partnership is increasingly vital in an era defined by significant uncertainty and turmoil.

During a joint press conference alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their discussions at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Wong affirmed Singapore's commitment to supporting India's journey in skill development. He highlighted their agreement to foster people-to-people exchanges, including more robust cooperation in civil services.

"Prime Minister Modi and I reaffirmed that the ties between our peoples are the foundation of our relationship. We have agreed to enhance exchanges, particularly in civil service collaboration. All these initiatives demonstrate the breadth and depth of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). Additionally, PM Modi and I have outlined an ambitious roadmap to guide the next chapter of our relationship," he remarked.

"In a world fraught with uncertainty and turbulence, the partnership between India and Singapore gains even more significance, as it is grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and a deep reservoir of trust. Together, we can enhance resilience, seize new opportunities, and contribute to stability and growth in our region and beyond. I look forward to collaborating closely with Prime Minister Modi to elevate the Singapore-India partnership to unprecedented heights in the coming years," he continued.

Wong noted that the bilateral relationship has flourished, stating that Singapore accounts for approximately a quarter of India's foreign direct investment inflows, with cooperation now spanning numerous sectors.

Praising PM Modi's leadership, Wong said, "Over the last decade, India has shown extraordinary progress under Prime Minister Modi's guidance. Currently, India ranks as the fourth largest economy globally, with a dynamism and influence that extend well beyond its borders."

Regarding his talks with PM Modi, Wong explained, "Last year, we agreed to elevate our relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and this morning, we had productive discussions on advancing this CSP. The Prime Minister identified several key areas, and I want to reiterate a few. Singapore is committed to supporting India's skill development journey. We are honored to accept India's invitation to partner globally in establishing the national center of excellence in Chennai, focusing on advanced manufacturing. We will also work with India to create state-level skill centers to address industry needs in areas such as aviation maintenance and semiconductors."

He announced plans to enhance cooperation in manufacturing and industrial development and strengthen collaboration in semiconductors. The two nations aim to improve connectivity across air, sea, and digital sectors, as well as deepen digital integration between their financial systems.

"We will enhance connectivity across air, sea, and digital domains. This morning, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in training, research, and development in civil aviation. This will bolster our aviation sectors, promote trade and tourism, and generate more commercial opportunities. On the maritime front, we recently launched phase two of PSA's Bharat Mumbai container terminal in Navi Mumbai, which will become India's largest standalone container terminal," Wong stated.

"We will also expand cooperation in pioneering fields like space. To date, over 20 Singapore-made satellites have been launched by India. Through the MoU on advancing collaboration in the space sector, we will broaden this partnership and push the boundaries of our achievements together," added the Singapore Prime Minister.