In the heart of New Delhi, the discourse unfolded between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Singapore’s Premier, Lee Hsien Loong, delving into the realms of fintech advancement, digital transformation, ecological sustainability, honing skills, and fortifying food resilience.
The official communique from the Ministry of External Affairs declared EAM Jaishankar’s departure from Singapore on March 25, marking the culmination of his official sojourn from March 23 to 25, encompassing Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia in sequential order.
Within the precincts of Singapore, Jaishankar convened with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and engaged with Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Singapore. A discourse ensued encompassing the augmentation of collaboration within the aforementioned spheres of cooperation, including fintech innovation, digital metamorphosis, environmental sustainability, skill enhancement, and food security, as articulated by the Ministry of External Affairs.
A plethora of bilateral engagements unfolded between the EAM and the echelons of the cabinet, alongside meetings with Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security. Moreover, Jaishankar embarked on comprehensive dialogues with Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, encapsulating bilateral, regional, and global agendas of shared interest.
Further, a constructive session unfolded with Gan Kim Yong, Minister of Trade & Industry, focusing on mutual cooperation in commerce and investment, renewable energy, and sustenance security. Additionally, discussions transpired with K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, to bolster bilateral affiliations, as per the statement.
Jaishankar’s odyssey encompassed a tribute-paying moment at the INA market in Singapore, commemorating Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Interactions with the Indian diaspora ensued, complemented by a perusal of a concise visual narrative portraying the ‘Saga of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’, crafted by the Indian community members.
An engagement at the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) unveiled an avenue for interaction with cognoscenti and policymakers, enriching the discourse.
The rendezvous in Singapore served as a propitious occasion to foster the Strategic Partnership between India and Singapore, whilst evaluating the strides made in various collaborative ventures. Highlighting Singapore’s incumbency as the current country coordinator for India at ASEAN and its role as a Guest Country during India’s Presidency of the G20 in 2023, underscored the depth of bilateral relations, as articulated by the MEA.