PM Modi called on President of Singapore Halimah Yacob
AMN / SINGAPORE
India and Singapore today signed eight agreements in the areas of financial services, public administration, cyber security, combating drug trafficking, capacity building and training.
The agreements were signed after high level bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong in Singapore today.
In a joint press statement after the talks, Mr. Modi said both the countries reviewed bilateral ties and decided to have a road-map to take the relationship forward.
He said the second review of comprehensive economic cooperation agreement concluded and both the countries decided to upgrade it in the days to come. Prime Minister said air services agreement will also be reviewed for increasing air connectivity further.
He said both the countries are keen on partnership in digital financial services and the Indian government will bring out a data centre policy in the coming days. He said Indian companies can use Singapore as a springboard to reach ASEAN.
The Prime Minister said relations between India and Singapore are marked by cordiality and trust and both countries have concern over the challenges of cyber security, terrorism and extremism.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said, Singapore can be a gateway for India to enter the South East Asian market. During his remarks at the joint press conference, Mr Lee said both digital India programme and Successful implementation of Aadhar offers market for Singapore FinTech – financial technology companies.
He said both countries made significant progress in strategic partnership and economic ties are substantial. The Singapore Prime Minister noted that the defence ties have strengthened with both the navies signing an agreement on logistic cooperation.
He observed that both countries are collaborating on technology, smart cities and skill development at national and state level. Expressing happiness over the launch of RuPay cards and Singapore NETs, Mr Lee said this will benefit the citizens of both countries to make electronic payments. Later, Mr Lee hosted banquet in honour of Prime Minister.
The signing of agreements between India and Singapore demonstrate the resolve of the leadership of both countries to work together in areas of mutual interest. Both sides have decided to take the bilateral ties to new heights, in several areas particularly in the realm of financial services.
The agreements related to skill development will help the youth in both the countries to acquire advanced skills for employment. The agreement in the area of urban infrastructure helps to speed up smart cities project in India.
The agreement between the navies of two countries to get logistic support is poised to further maritime cooperation.
The agreements also facilitate to establish a new level of cooperation on will be established to tackle water issues in 115 aspirational districts in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Nanyang Technological University and interacted with Students. On the occasion, National Technological University – NTU exchanged academic agreements with IIT, Chennai, IIT Mumbai, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and ,Indian Institute of Space& technology, Thiruvananthapuram. A Statement of Intent was exchanged with NITI Aayog.These agreements were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister.
Prime Minister said 21st century belongs to Asia and it is India’turn now to prove itself at global level. He said providing digital services, bio diversity, affordable housing, increase in agriculture production are some of the challenges before Asian Countries today. Replying to questions posed by Mr Subramanian Suresh, President, NTU during the interactive session with the students, Mr Modi said his government has put lot of thrust on space technology due to which almost 100 per cent weather prediction has become possible these days.
Mr. Modi said space technology is beneficial in good governance and decision making. He said space technology makes things easier to complete.