Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore was a great success. He emphasized the link between India and Singapore through historical, cultural, kinship and commercial ties. The city state has played a significant role in the story of India’s growth and modernization. The bilateral relationship which started 50 years ago when Singapore became independent is now a strategic partnership. The small city state has achieved great success with scant resources which should be a lesson to India. Singapore is India’s largest trading partner in South-East Asia. It is also the biggest source and destination for investment by this country. Singapore can contribute to India’s development of projects like smart cities, clean energy and robust infrastructure. The city state is called “India’s springboard to the world and gateway to the East”. It should be of great assistance in promoting India’s Look East policy in furthering good relations with all Asian powers including China, Japan and Korea and developing India’s integration with Asean.
Delhi has concluded a new, enhanced bilateral defence co-operation agreement with Singapore. During Modi’s visit, nine deals were signed on cyber security, civil aviation and shipping. Modi has said that the seas, space and the cyber domain should not be threats but roads to shared prosperity. The nine deals will help in lessening the differences over the South China seas which have been impediments to the easy pursuit of India’s policy in the region. What is more, it should facilitate India’s improving its relations with its huge economic collaborator, China.
