India-Singapore sign several pacts including Strategic partnership & defense cooperation

Nov 24,  1:53 PM India and Singapore signed several agreements on Strategic Partnership. It is a frame work to contribute to greater regional stability and growth, deepen existing areas of cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsein Loong signed agreement. Secretary East in the Ministry of External Affairs Anil Wadhwa spoke to AIR Correspondent on the signing of MoUs and documents. Both the countries have also decided to enhance defence cooperation by signing revised Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA). As per DCA, both the countries agreed to establish a regular Defence Minister’s dialogue, defence cooperation in maritime security and encourage cooperation between defence industries of the two countries. Mr Wadwa later told media persons that Mr. Modi has invited Singapore to develop 20 smart cities in India. Narendra Modi has also said that India will upgrade 500 raliway stations on PPP mode and invited Singapore to invest on it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lee Hsein Loong have also released commemorative stamps depicting Rashtrapati Bhawan and Istana-Official residence of Singapore President-as a mark of 50 years of bilateral relation. The two countries have also signed several more agreements on mutual co-operation. These include Defence, Civil Aviation, National Planning and cyber Security. Our correspondent covering the Prime Minister's Singapore visit reports that both Prime Ministers were present on the occasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet Singapore business Chiefs later in the day and hardsell India's growth story with them for more investment. Our correspondent further reports that Investors hoped that the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will help expand the business with India. Local media has extensively covered the Prime Minister's visit. They have highlighted Mr.Modi's lecture last evening on the theme "India-Singapore- a Story" with photographs. They have come out with special features on the Prime Minister.