Modi in Singapore talks technology, Indo-Pacific

Spread the love

Modi invites Singapore to board India’s semi-conductor journey

By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi, September 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed technology collaborations in his bilateral meeting with Singapore’s premier Lawrence Wong. Modi arrived in Singapore from Brunei.

The prime minister visited a semiconductor plant along with Wong. India and Singapore aim to collaborate on the cutting-edge technologies.

“Singapore is not just a partner country. Singapore is an inspiration for every developing country. We too want to create many Singapores in India,” said Modi at the reception hosted by his Singapore counterpart.

Also Read: Realpolitik weds Congress with AAP in Haryana

Modi spotlighted the ministerial roundtable between the two countries. He said that “it is a path-breaking mechanism”.

“Initiatives have been identified for cooperation in areas such as skilling, digitalization, mobility, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and AI, healthcare, sustainability, and cyber security,” added Modi.

Modi, accompanied by Wong, visited AEM, a leading Singaporean company in semiconductor and electronics sector. “They were briefed about AEM’s role in global semiconductor value chain, its operations and plans for India,” said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a media statement.

Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association gave a briefing on the development of semiconductor ecosystem in Singapore and opportunities for collaboration with India.

Also Read: US recession fear sinks stock markets while defensives gain

“Representatives of several other Singaporean companies from this sector were also present. Prime Minister invited the Singaporean semiconductor companies to participate in SEMICON INDIA exhibition to be held in Greater Noida on 11-13 September 2024,” said the PMO in the media statement.

Modi spotlighted India’s efforts to develop semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem and Singapore’s strengths in this sector. “Both sides have decided to expand bilateral cooperation. During the 2nd meeting of India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable, both sides agreed to add Advance Manufacturing, with focus on semiconductors, as a pillar for enhancing bilateral cooperation,” added the PMO in the media statement.

Both sides have also concluded the MoU on India-Singapore Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership. “At the facility, the two Prime Ministers also interacted with Indian interns from Odisha’s World Skill Center undergoing training in Singapore as well as Singaporean interns who had visited India under the CII-Enterprise Singapore India Ready Talent Programme and Indian engineers working at AEM,” added the PMO.

Also Read: Modi in Brunei calls for ‘code of conduct’ in Indo Pacific

Modi in his remarks at the reception emphasised that “Singapore is an important architect of Act East policy. Shared belief in democratic values binds us together. I am happy that I have got the opportunity to visit Singapore at the beginning of my third term”.

Modi also noted that “a decade of our strategic partnership is being completed. Our trade has more than doubled in the last ten years”. “Mutual investment has increased almost three times and crossed $150 billion dollars. Singapore was the first country with which we launched UPI’s Person to Person payment facility,” added Modi.

He also said that in the last ten years, 17 satellites of Singapore have been launched from India. “Our cooperation has gained momentum from skilling to defense sector. The agreement between Singapore Airlines and Air India has strengthened connectivity,” added Modi.

Also Read: Judicial lamp post shines brightly

The prime minister also noted that 3.5 lakh people of Indian origin in Singapore have laid strong foundation of bilateral relations.

“I am very happy to inform that India’s first Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre will soon be opened in Singapore,” added Modi.

He also spoke of India’s Indo-Pacific vision at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. “We will continue to work with Singapore for regional peace, stability and prosperity,” added Modi.

Join WhatsApp channel of The Raisina Hills