Jaishankar discusses "strategic partnership" with Singaporean counterpart Balakrishnan
Oct 20, 2023
Singapore, October 20 : India and Singapore's "strategic partnership" took centre stage during the discussions of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and his Singaporean counterpart, Vivian Balakrishnan, on Friday.
The two ministers also held discussions on "global developments" as they met.
"Delighted to meet my good friend @VivianBala. A comprehensive discussion on our strategic partnership and global developments," posted Jaishankar on X.
India and Singapore enjoy a historical relationship that was elevated to a strategic partnership in 2015. In 2023, both sides had several ministerial interactions on the sidelines of the G20 held under India's presidency, for which Singapore was invited as a guest country, according to a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) press release.
Jaishankar is on an official visit to Singapore from October 19 to 20.
On Friday, the EAM also met Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, and held discussions on the India-Singapore bilateral partnership and its prospects. "Pleased to meet Deputy PM @LawrenceWongST today. A very productive discussion on our bilateral partnership and its prospects. Appreciated his insights on the global situation," Jaishankar wrote on 'X'.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar also met Singapore's Senior Minister, Teo Chee Hean, and discussed the global landscape and its challenges. Jaishankar posted on X, "Great to see Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean. Enjoyed our discussion on the current global landscape and its challenges."
Teo Chee Hean is the Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security. He currently oversees the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group, the National Security Coordination Secretariat, the National Population and Talent Division, and the National Climate Change Secretariat under the Prime Minister's Office.
During his visit, Jaishankar will also chair the regional conference of Indian Heads of Missions.
Earlier today, Jaishankar also met Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong. The discussions between the two leaders centred around new domains of cooperation with long-term implications. Taking to X, Jaishankar stated, "Nice to meet Trade & Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong today morning. Our discussions centred around new domains of cooperation with long-term implications. Looking forward to developing these ideas at the ISMR meeting."
Notably, the ties between India and Singapore are based on shared values and approaches, economic opportunities, and convergence of interests on key issues.
Both nations are members of a number of forums, including the East Asia Summit, G20, Commonwealth, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).
