PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday touted Singapore as a model for developing nations and said India wanted to create “several Singapores” of its own. During his talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Modi expressed confidence in the city-state’s fourth generation leadership. He said Singapore is not merely a partner country, it serves as an inspiration for every developing nation. “We also aim to create several Singapores within India. I am pleased that we are collaborating towards this goal. The ministerial roundtable we have established is a pathbreaking mechanism,” the Prime Minister said. Congratulating the prosperous nation’s premier, Modi said, “This is our first meeting since you assumed the office as Prime Minister. My heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you. I am confident that under the leadership of 4G, Singapore will achieve progress even more rapidly.” Wong was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Singapore in May.

 

The 51-yearold economist-turned-politician succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, 72, who relinquished his position after two decades; both belonging to the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) that has been driving Singapore’s economic progress for more than five decades. Wong, who was the deputy Prime Minister, is leading the fourth generation PAPpoliticians’government as the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister. Modi flew to Singapore on Wednesday after wrapping his visit to Brunei, the first bilateral visit there by an Indian prime minister. “Collaborative initiatives havebeenidentifiedinareas such as skilling, digitalisation, mobility, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and AI, healthcare, sustainability and cybersecurity,” said the prime minister, who is on a two-day visit to the Asian financial centre with the global business network. Singapore is also an important facilitator of India’s Act East policy, Modi said. “Our shared belief in democratic values connects us.Iamdelightedtohavethe opportunity to visit Singapore at the beginning of my third term,” he said. Underlining the strategic partnership between India and Singapore, Prime Minister Modi said, “Over the past 10 years, our trade has more than doubled.

 

Mutual investment has increasedalmostthreefoldto cross USD 150 billion. Singaporewasthefirstcountry with which we launched the UPI Person-to-Person payment facility.” Elaborating on the developments in the bilateral cooperationbetweenthetwo countries, he saidinthepast 10 years, 17 satellites of Singapore have been launched from Indian soil. The cooperation has gained momentum from skilling to the defence sector. The agreement between Singapore Airlines and Air Indiahas strengthenedconnectivity. “We are together elevatingourrelationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The 3.5 lakh peopleofIndianoriginresiding in Singapore are the strong foundation of our relationship...We are forever thankful to the entire Singapore for the place and honour that Subhash Chandra Bose, Azad Hind Fauj and Little India have receivedinSingapore,”Modi said. In 2025, the IndiaSingapore relationship will celebrate its 60th anniversary.

 

To mark this occasion with grandeur, he called on both countries to collaborate on creating an action plan. “I am delighted to inform you that India’s first Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre will soon be inauguratedinSingapore.Thegreat saintThiruvalluvarprovided guiding thoughts to the world in the most ancient language Tamil. His work, the Thirukkural, was composednearly2,000yearsago, yet its ideas remain relevant even today,” Modi said. Quoting Thiruvalluvar’s words: “Nayanodu Nanri PurindPayanudaiyarPanbu Paratattum Ulagu (The worldadmiresthosewhoare knownfortheir sense ofjustice and service to others), the prime minister said he is confident that millions of Indians living in Singapore are also inspired by these ideasandarecontributingto strengthening the relations between the two countries. Modirecalled that he had presented India’s IndoPacificvisioninSingaporeat the Shangri-La Dialogue. “We will continue to work with Singapore to promote regionalpeace,stability,and prosperity. Once again, my heartfeltthanks forthehonour and the warm hospitality extended to me,” he said.