India, Singapore building partnership of our age: Modi

Singapore, May 31: Stating that political relations between India and Singapore are among the warmest and closest, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the two sides are building a relationship of our age. Addressing a business and community event, Modi described the relationship between India and Singapore as “our heritage”. Stating that this southeast Asian city state never fails to inspire, he said that it has shown that size can be no barrier to the scale of achievements. Praising the role of the 800,000 people of Indian origin here, he said: “Here in Singapore, you represent the diversity of India..”

India and Singapore elevated their bilateral ties to that of a Strategic Partnership in 2015. Modi said that when India opened up to the world and turned to the east, Singapore became a partner and a bridge between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) regional bloc. “Political relations between India and Singapore are among the warmest and closest,” he said. Stating that it is a natural partnership from a shared vision, he said defence relations between India and Singapore are also among the strongest. Stating that this partnership is at the front-line of India’s global engagement, Modi said Singapore is both a leading investment source and destination for India. “Singapore was the first country with which we signed a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (in 2005),” he said. Stating that India will work for an open, stable and fair international trade regime, Modi said: “And, our engagement to our east will be among the strongest, and economics will remain an integral part of our Act East Policy.” (IANS)