Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on 5th September during a bilateral meeting, expressing India’s aspiration to “create many Singapore’s.”
During his visit to Singapore on 5th September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the city-state, describing it as “not just a country but an inspiration for every developing nation.” The visit, which marks an important step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, began with a ceremonial welcome for PM Modi at Singapore’s Parliament House, followed by a meeting with his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong.
PM Modi’s visit to Singapore comes as part of a two-day diplomatic tour aimed at fostering stronger ties between India and Singapore. According to ANI, the second day of his visit is marked by plans to tour a state-of-the-art semiconductor facility and to sign several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). His Singapore stop follows a visit to Brunei, which was the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country.
Key Highlights from PM Modi’s Speech in Singapore:
Expressing his appreciation for the warm reception, PM Modi stated, “I thank you for your warm welcome.” He congratulated Lawrence Wong on his appointment as Prime Minister, saying, “This is our first meeting after you assumed the post of Prime Minister. Many congratulations to you from my side.”
PM Modi also expressed his confidence in Singapore’s continued growth under Wong’s leadership: “I am confident that under the leadership of 4G, Singapore will progress even faster. Singapore is not just a country; Singapore is an inspiration for every developing country.”
Highlighting the collaborative spirit between India and Singapore, PM Modi described the ministerial roundtable as “a path-breaking mechanism.” He further emphasized, “We also want to create many Singapores in India, and I am happy that we are working together in this direction. The ministerial roundtable that has been formed between us is a path-breaking mechanism.”
During the bilateral meeting, PM Modi underscored the growing cooperation between India and Singapore in various sectors, such as digitalization, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity. He stated that this collaboration has become a defining feature of the India-Singapore ministerial roundtable.
The Prime Minister also highlighted areas where both nations are collaborating, including skilling, digitalization, mobility, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, sustainability, and cybersecurity. “Cooperation in these fields has become an identity of this initiative,” ANI quoted PM Modi as saying.
In addition to his official engagements, PM Modi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts, writing: “Happy to have met my friend, PM Lawrence Wong. Had an excellent discussion on a wide range of issues. India cherishes the friendship with Singapore.”
The meeting between the two leaders comes just a few months after PM Modi began his third term as Prime Minister of India, while Lawrence Wong took office as Singapore’s Prime Minister. Later in the day, PM Modi is scheduled to meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. His visit will conclude with a business meeting before he departs for New Delhi.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
The bilateral talks are expected to bolster cooperation in various fields, especially in technology, trade, and investment. India and Singapore have long maintained a strong economic relationship, and this meeting reinforces both nations’ commitment to expanding their collaboration.
Singapore, often seen as a global hub for innovation and economic growth, represents a model that India is keen to replicate. PM Modi’s comments about creating “many Singapores” in India signal a desire to adopt Singapore’s best practices in urban planning, infrastructure, digital economy, and governance.
PM Modi’s visit to Singapore serves as a crucial step in deepening the ties between the two nations. His meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong reflects a shared vision of cooperation and growth. The signing of multiple MoUs and continued dialogue in various sectors further solidify the foundation for a stronger partnership in the future.
As India aims to create “many Singapores,” this collaboration offers the promise of shared growth and innovation. Stay tuned for more updates.
