In a recent development, the Honourable President of Singapore Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam was on a State Visit to India from 14-18th January, 2025. The President was accompanied by his spouse Mrs. Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam along with other officials from the Ministry of Transport, Finance, Foreign Affairs, National Development and other officials and Parliamentarians. The visit marked the first ever State visit by President Tharman to India.
On his arrival, the President was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by the Honourable President of India, Droupadi Murmu and the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. President Mumu also hosted a State Banquet in his honour. Subsequently, in a meeting that followed, the Presidents affirmed the warm and longstanding friendship between India and Singapore, as they commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Marking the occasion, the Presidents also unveiled a joint logo that includes colours from the Indian and Singaporean national flags, the national flowers of both the countries and the number 60, that highlights the significant milestone of the 60th anniversary. In all, the logo reads, “India Singapore 60 years of Diplomatic Relations”. The arrangement of these segments only symbolises the enduring friendship, mutual trust, and shared values between the countries. They also discussed the entire gamut of bilateral issues and welcomed cooperation in the forward-looking areas including semiconductors, industrial park development, and green and digital economies.
Subsequently, the Indian Prime Minister called on the President of Singapore, with the leaders reviewing the bilateral relationship and discussing ways to strengthen the India-Singapore Comprehensive Partnership. During the meeting, PM Modi welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral cooperation following the second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) and his Official visit to Singapore in 2024. They also discussed new avenues for cooperation in line with their Comprehensive Strategic partnership.
Other Engagements
Thereafter, External Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar called on the President and the leaders discussed Singapore-India cooperation in domains such as semiconductors, industrial parks, skilling, digitalisation, and trade development. In addition, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers Mr. Jagat Prakash Nadda, Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Commerce and Industry Mr. Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Education Mr. Jayant Chaudhary also called on the President of Singapore. They discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation including in the key ISMR pillars; such as connectivity, health, skill development, industrial park, digitalisation, and advanced manufacturing.
President Tharman also embarked on a visit to the state of Odisha wherein he received a warm welcome by the Honourable Chief Minister Mr. Mohan Charan Majhi at the Bhubaneswar airport. He was accompanied by a business delegation to further explore the opportunities in areas including skills development and sustainable energy. During his tour in the state from 17-18th January, he visited the World Skills Centre and toured the state-of-the-art labs and interacted with the students and instructors. He also participated in the MoU exchange ceremony wherein a total of 8 MoUs were exchanged between the Odisha state government and Singapore-based companies, such that the MoUs were signed to set-up industrial parks, green hydrogen corridor, petrochemical and petroleum investment region, development of new city, energy project, fintech system, advancing skill landscape, and skill development in semiconductor sector among others.
The visit of Singapore President is considered to be a historic milestone considering that Singapore is a key player of India’s Act East policy and its vision of the Indo-Pacific. The event follows a promising year in Singapore-India bilateral relations that also witnessed the elevation of India-Singapore ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
