External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged in discussions with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong regarding the enhancement of collaboration in various sectors including fintech, digitalization, the green economy, skills development, and food security. Minister Jaishankar’s visit to Singapore concluded on March 25, marking the culmination of his official trip from March 23 to 25, which served as the initial leg of his journey encompassing Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
During his time in Singapore, Jaishankar held meetings with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Singapore, where they deliberated on avenues to deepen engagement across the identified pillars of cooperation. These discussions encompassed key areas such as fintech, digitalization, the green economy, skills development, and food security, as highlighted by the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.
Throughout his visit, Jaishankar participated in several bilateral engagements with Singapore’s leadership and senior ministers, including Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security. Additionally, he engaged in comprehensive discussions with Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, covering bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest.
Furthermore, Jaishankar had a productive meeting with Gan Kim Yong, Minister of Trade & Industry, where the focus was on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, green energy, and food security. He also met with K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, to explore opportunities for strengthening the bilateral partnership.
During his visit, Jaishankar paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the INA marker in Singapore, underscoring the historical and cultural ties between India and Singapore. He also engaged with members of the Indian community, interacting with them and witnessing a short video presentation on the life and legacy of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, crafted by members of the Indian Community.
Furthermore, Jaishankar attended an event organized by the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), where he engaged with think tanks and policymakers, fostering dialogue and collaboration on key regional and global issues.
The visit to Singapore provided an opportune moment to reinforce the Strategic Partnership between India and Singapore and evaluate progress in various areas of cooperation. Singapore’s role as the current country coordinator for India at ASEAN and its participation as a Guest Country during India’s Presidency of the G20 in 2023 further underscored the significance of strengthening ties between the two nations, as highlighted by the Ministry of External Affairs.
