"Jaishankar and Singapore's Trade Minister Delve into Cooperative Domains"

20 Oct, 2023

"Jaishankar and Singapore's Trade Minister Delve into Cooperative Domains"

During the second phase of his two-nation visit to Southeast Asia, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Singapore's Trade and Industry Minister, Gan Kim Yong. The discussions between the two officials revolved around identifying new domains of bilateral cooperation that could have long-term implications. Minister Jaishankar, who is in Singapore, will also engage with Singapore's recently elected President, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and other senior leaders to review existing bilateral cooperation and explore opportunities for further collaboration.

Minister Jaishankar expressed his enthusiasm for developing these cooperative ideas during the upcoming India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR).

In addition to this meeting, Minister Jaishankar has been active in his engagement with Singaporean authorities during this visit. He had discussions with Singapore's Defence Minister, Ng Eng Hen, during which he expressed appreciation for the strategic insights and assessments provided by Minister Ng Eng Hen. These discussions also included an

evaluation of regional developments and their implications for India. Minister Jaishankar highlighted the value of the insights offered by Indian Ambassadors, emphasizing their importance in shaping policy decisions.

The Singapore Foreign Ministry had previously issued a statement underlining the visit's significance in reaffirming the enduring and close ties between Singapore and India, which are firmly rooted in a foundation of strategic trust. The visit offers an opportunity for both nations to review their bilateral cooperation, explore collaboration in emerging sectors such as digitalization and skills development within the framework of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable. The visit also serves as a platform for exchanging views on regional and global developments.

Minister Jaishankar's visit to Singapore marks the final segment of his official two-nation tour, following his visit to Vietnam. This visit underscores the commitment to fostering and strengthening diplomatic relations and exploring avenues for collaborative growth between India and Southeast Asian nations.

In summary, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to Singapore is characterized by high-level meetings and discussions that aim to bolster India's diplomatic ties with Singapore, while also exploring new domains of cooperation and reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two countries. This diplomatic exchange holds the promise of facilitating greater collaboration in emerging sectors and ensuring that both nations stay aligned with regional and global developments.