Singapore Supports India's Vision for Viksit Bharat, Says President Shanmugaratnam During State Visit

New Delhi, Jan 16 (NationPress) Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam received a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the commencement of his State Visit to India.

This significant visit, his inaugural as President of Singapore, aligns with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations shared between the two countries.

Addressing journalists after his ceremonial welcome, the Singaporean President stated, "We will always remember that India was among the first nations to acknowledge Singapore's sovereignty in 1965, and our partnership has flourished ever since. It is a natural alliance between the small state of Singapore and the vast nation of India, enabling us to discover avenues for collaboration in our shared interests."

Emphasizing the bilateral relationship, he noted that Singapore stands as the largest investor in India, with strong and growing defense ties.

"We are embarking on a new path with India, having elevated our relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which was declared during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Singapore in September last year. We are investigating new initiatives that extend beyond our already active engagement. Our focus includes cooperation in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, next-generation and net-zero industrial parks, as well as skills development for new industries," he elaborated.

President Shanmugaratnam indicated that Indian and Singaporean leaders are aligned in their vision, collaborating on digitalization and sustainability.

"Singapore is committed to supporting India's goal of becoming a developed nation - Viksit Bharat 2047," he remarked.

Tharman arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday evening and participated in high-level discussions on Wednesday.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with the visiting President to deliberate on essential areas of bilateral cooperation, including semiconductors, industrial parks, skills training, digitalization, and trade expansion.

"I was pleased to meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam of Singapore today. We discussed our collaboration in semiconductors, industrial parks, skills development, digitalization, and trade. I am confident that his State visit will inject new energy into our comprehensive strategic partnership," Jaishankar shared on X after the meeting.

Accompanied by a high-ranking delegation of ministers, parliament members, and officials, the Singaporean President is set to hold bilateral discussions with President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi later today. After his engagements in New Delhi, he will travel to Odisha from January 17-18.

The Ministry of External Affairs underscored the resilient relationship between the two nations, rooted in friendship, trust, and mutual respect. The ties were upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Singapore in September 2024.

Prime Minister Modi had previously recognized the strength of bilateral cooperation in various sectors during his trip to Singapore. He highlighted the potential for further collaboration, especially in areas like social and digital investments and India's rise as a global growth hub.

President Tharman's visit is anticipated to fortify the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, fostering deeper collaboration in vital areas of mutual interest.