Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Singapore’s ‘4G’ leadership as a global inspiration during an exchange of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Singapore on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
Modi expressed his confidence in Singapore’s fourth-generation leadership, commending the city-state’s remarkable progress and highlighting it as a model for developing nations worldwide. He met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and congratulated him on assuming the office as prime minister, stating, “This is our first meeting since you assumed the office as prime minister. My heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you. I am confident that under the leadership of 4G, Singapore will achieve progress even more rapidly.”
Wong, a 51-year-old economist-turned-politician, succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, 72, as the new prime minister of Singapore in May. Both leaders belong to the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), which has been driving Singapore’s economic progress for over five decades. Wong, who also serves as the finance minister, is leading the fourth generation of PAP politicians in the government.
Modi’s visit to Singapore followed his trip to Brunei, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to the country. He emphasized that Singapore is not just a partner nation but also an inspiration for every developing country, stating, “We also aim to create multiple ‘Singapores’ within India. I am pleased that we are collaborating towards this goal.”
Collaborative initiatives have been identified in various areas such as skilling, digitalisation, mobility, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI, healthcare, sustainability, and cybersecurity. Modi highlighted the strategic partnership between India and Singapore, noting that trade between the two countries has more than doubled over the past decade, with mutual investments exceeding $150 billion.
Singapore plays a crucial role in India’s Act East policy, fostering a shared belief in democratic values. Modi expressed his gratitude for the support from the Singaporean government and people, emphasizing the strong foundation of the relationship between the two nations.
In 2025, India and Singapore will celebrate the 60th anniversary of their relationship, and Modi proposed collaborating on creating an action plan to mark the occasion. He announced the inauguration of India’s first Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre in Singapore, dedicated to the ancient Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar, whose work remains relevant today.
Modi also recalled presenting India’s Indo-Pacific vision in Singapore at the Shangri-La Dialogue, highlighting the commitment to promoting regional peace, stability, and prosperity through cooperation with Singapore.
As the two countries continue to strengthen their ties, the future looks promising for the India-Singapore relationship. With a shared vision for growth and development, both nations are poised to achieve new milestones in their partnership.