India and Singapore on Tuesday elevated their ties to the ‘strategic partnership’ level by signing ten agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoU) during Modi’s visit to Singapore.
The two countries signed bilateral agreements for enhanced economic and defence cooperation, and in areas like cyber security, shipping and civil aviation after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong.
Modi also met Singapore President Tony Tan Keng on the second day of his visit today and was accorded a ceremonial welcome here at Istana, the official residence and office of the President.
A joint statement was issued following the signing of ten cooperation pacts.
India and Singapore elevate their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership to deepen and broaden engagement in existing areas of cooperation and catalyse new ones ranging from political, defence and security cooperation to economic, cultural and people-to-people contact. The strategic partnership is also a framework to contribute to greater regional stability and growth.Indian–Singapore Joint Statement
The bilateral economic relationship will have five focus points, which including scaling up of trade and investment, speeding up air and maritime connectivity and coastal development, smart city development and urban rejuvenation, skills development and capacity building.
The two sides also signed an art exchange and an MoU between Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the Indian IT department and Singapore Computer Emergency Response Team (SingCERT), Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency on security cooperation.
On the political and security side, the joint statement talked about continued high-level exchanges and expanding defence, maritime and security cooperation.
Both prime ministers also noted the importance of culture in India-Singapore ties and encouraging more exhibition exchanges and interactions.
They also stressed on their shared interest for further cooperation in science and technology, space, biomedicine and ayurveda.
Loong has also promised support from Singapore for Indian membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
(With inputs from PTI.)
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