Singapore's leader's visit to India is driven by economic and political purposes. Economically, as the U.S. tariff war escalates, Singapore needs to diversify its trade and investment risks, with Vietnam and India becoming investment "sanctuaries". Politically, the increasing Indian population in Singapore makes it imperative to develop relations with India, the homeland of these people, while also comforting their sentiments.

The official Singapore media, "Lianhe Zaobao", reported on its front page that this year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and India, which is also the first year of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Singapore's Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Heng Swee Kiang, and Indian Prime Minister Modi announced a roadmap to guide the continued progress of bilateral relations in New Delhi, clearly deepening cooperation in eight areas.

These areas are economy, skills development, digitalization, sustainable development, connectivity, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, civil society and cultural exchanges, and defense and security cooperation.

On the last day of his visit to India on Thursday (September 4), Heng Swee Kiang's activities were mainly held at Hyderabad House. This European-style building, completed in 1928, was originally the residence of the last ruler of the Hyderabad princely state. In 1974, it became a state guesthouse, where the government receives state visits, hosts state banquets, and meets foreign dignitaries.

Before holding a joint press conference with Modi, Heng Swee Kiang witnessed the exchange of the roadmap for the comprehensive strategic partnership and five memorandums of understanding, and remotely launched the Port of Singapore Authority's Bharti Mumbai Container Terminal in Mumbai.

The five memorandums of understanding involve the cooperation to build the Chennai Advanced Manufacturing Skills Training Excellence Center, promote financial technology innovation, conduct civil aviation training research and cooperation, advance cooperation in the space field, and establish a green digital shipping corridor.

Heng Swee Kiang said in the press conference that Singapore and India can draw strength from their common history and the friendship and trust between their peoples, work together to enhance resilience and seize new opportunities, and contribute to the stability and development of the region and beyond.

"I look forward to working with Prime Minister Modi to elevate the Singapore-India partnership to a new height in the coming years."

Modi emphasized that Singapore-India cooperation is not limited to traditional areas but should meet the needs of the times. "Singapore is an important pillar of our 'Look East' policy, and we will continue to work together to advance cooperation with ASEAN and realize our shared vision of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region."

He also announced that the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and the ASEAN-India Product Trade Agreement will be regularly reviewed.

The two leaders embraced each other before the press conference, showing their warm and friendly relationship. Subsequently, Modi hosted a lunch banquet at Hyderabad House for Heng Swee Kiang's delegation.

In the afternoon of the same day, Heng Swee Kiang gave an interview to the accompanying Singapore journalists at his hotel. He described it as a brief but productive visit. The ministerial roundtable meetings between the two countries since 2022 have continued to achieve results during this period after the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership, leading to the announcement by the leaders of both countries of an ambitious and detailed roadmap, planning the various pillars of cooperation between the two countries, demonstrating the great potential for further deepening the bilateral relationship.

He emphasized that Singapore has few comprehensive strategic partners, and elevating diplomatic relations to this level is not for empty names, but rather to carry out substantive cooperation.

"The partnership between India and Singapore, built over 60 years, is deeply rooted in the foundation of common values, mutual trust, and mutual respect. I believe it will continue to be an important source of stability, resilience, and new opportunities for both countries."

Heng Swee Kiang pointed out that in addition to existing trade and investment, there are many possibilities for cooperation between the two countries in new technologies, research, and innovation, especially with India's continuously improving technological capabilities and the increasingly active startup ecosystem in recent years, giving rise to a large number of vibrant and creative young entrepreneurs.

He said Singapore hopes to expand cooperation with India in emerging technology fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, aerospace, and new energy. This will not only benefit the companies involved but also bring tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

Heng Swee Kiang arrived in the Indian capital New Delhi on Tuesday (the 2nd) to begin his first visit to India after taking office as prime minister. During three days, he met with several Indian officials, including President Droupadi Murmu, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1842379464306688/

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