SINGAPORE, Sept 6 – Singapore and India on Thursday agreed to elevate their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to the island republic.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Modi agreed to elevate the bilateral relations from the existing Strategic Partnership, aiming to deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation against the backdrop of their 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year.
According to a joint statement, Wong and Modi also discussed potential collaboration in new and innovative areas, including cross border electricity trade and green ammonia supply chains, a joint flagship programme for skills training, enhancing cross-border data flows via the Gujarat International Finance and Tec-City (GIFT City), and cooperation in developing industrial parks in India.
Meanwhile, both leaders called on all parties in the South China Sea disputes to resolve their disputes through peaceful means without threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of actions that could escalate tensions in the region.
They also expressed hope for the early conclusion of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Modi also called on Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and met Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
