Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Lion City, Singapore this afternoon in the second leg of his two nation tour after concluding his succesful visit to Brunei. He was received by Singapore’s Minister of Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam. Mr Modi is visiting the country at the invitation of his counterpart, Lawrence Wong.

The Prime Minister was given a warm welcome by the Indian community at the hotel.  Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong hosted him for a private dinner in the evening. In a social media post, Mr Modi said he had an excellent discussion on a wide range of issues with Mr Wong . He added that India cherishes the friendship with Singapore.

Tomorrow, both leaders will meet to review the progress of the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Thereafter, Prime Minister Modi will have meetings with the President of Singapore and several other dignitaries. He will also visit AEM, a semiconductor facility. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet with the CEOs of Singaporean companies.

Our correspondent reports that this is an important visit as it gives a major push to India’s Act East policy. Mr Modi is visiting Singapore after nearly six years. India has robust defense cooperation with Singapore, and trade and investment flows have shown steady growth in the recent times. Singapore is India’s largest trade partner in ASEAN and a leading source of foreign direct investment.

Earlier today, India and Brunei signed an MoU for cooperation in the operation of the Telemetry, Tracking, and Telecommand Station for Satellites and Launch Vehicles. The two countries also decided to elevate the bilateral ties to Enhanced Partnership to further strengthen, deepen relationship in all areas of mutual interest. It was decided after the delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in Bandar Seri Begawan. The two leaders took stock of bilateral relations including in areas of defence, trade and investment, energy, space technology, health and pharmaceuticals, capacity building, culture and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

In his remarks during the talks, the Prime Minister said, Brunei being an important partner in India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Vision is a guarantee of a bright future for both nations. Mr Modi expressed happiness that he has the opportunity to visit Brunei at the beginning of his third term and to discuss the future with the Sultan. He said, it is also a happy coincidence that this year India-Brunei are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the bilateral partnership. He said, India and Brunei have centuries-old cultural ties and the basis of the friendship is the great cultural tradition. The Prime Minister said, under the leadership of Sultan of Brunei, the relations have been growing stronger day by day. He added that the memories of the visit of Sultan of Brunei to India as the Chief Guest on the Republic Day in 2018 are still remembered with great pride by the people of India. Mr Modi said, India and Brunei are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges.

Later in the banquet hosted by Sultan of Brunei in his honour, Mr Modi said, India and Brunei have decided to give strategic direction to their partnership and he and the Sultan had a comprehensive discussion on all aspects. He said, both sides are committed to strengthening the cooperation in the economic, scientific and strategic fields. The Prime Minister said, to enhance cooperation in the defence sector, India and Brunei took positive views on the possibilities of defence industry training and capacity building.  The two countries  decided to commencement of direct flight connection between Bandar Seri Begawan and Chennai.Mr Modi expressed happiness that the Indian community is making a positive contribution to the economy and society of Brunei. He said, the inauguration of the Indian Embassy has given the Indian community a permanent address. The Prime Minister said, India has always given priority to ASEAN peace and will continue to do so. He said, India supports freedom of navigation and overflight under international laws like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Mr Modi highlighted that India supports ‘vikasvaad’ (Developmentalism), not ‘vistarvaad’ (Expansionism).