Singapore PM Lawrence Wong's Strategic Visit to India Highlights Key Agreements

New Delhi, Sep 2 (PTI) - Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is set to enhance bilateral relations between India and Singapore during his three-day visit to New Delhi, beginning Tuesday. Five key agreements are expected to be signed, focusing on strengthening cooperation in shipping, civil aviation, and space sectors.

Wong's inaugural visit to India as prime minister aims to deepen economic ties, leveraging the synergies between the two nations. On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Wong will virtually inaugurate a container terminal in Maharashtra, a project into which the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA International) has invested over USD one billion.

The official dedication of the port project is anticipated to follow their extensive discussions. Singapore's investments in India have been significant, reaching a cumulative USD 175 billion since 2014, with USD 60 billion of that post-COVID, according to government statistics.

"Singapore remains a crucial partner in India's 'Act East' Policy," stated the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday while announcing Wong's visit. This visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to strengthen their strategic partnership.

"This trip offers both prime ministers an opportunity to reflect on the broad scope of our cooperation and chart a path for future engagement," added the MEA. Besides bilateral matters, regional and international issues of interest will also be discussed by the leaders. Wong's delegation includes his spouse, top cabinet ministers, and senior officials.

Wong is also scheduled to meet with President Droupadi Murmu, along with several Union ministers, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Last September, India-Singapore relations were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership during PM Modi's visit to Singapore.

One of the potential projects under consideration includes exporting solar energy from India to Singapore through an underwater cable, which could also support data connectivity. However, challenges such as the Andaman Trench have been identified in a feasibility study for the cable laying.

Additionally, a financial data regulatory "sandbox" has been established at Gift City in Gujarat as part of data connectivity efforts.

Exporting green ammonia and green hydrogen from India to Singapore is another promising area of collaboration.

Preparations for Wong's visit were discussed during the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) held on August 13 in New Delhi. Key Indian ministers, including Jaishankar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, met with their Singaporean counterparts.

The Singaporean delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, included National Security and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng, and Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow.

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