Singapore, India ink joint declaration elevating bilateral ties

Singapore and India on Tuesday inked a joint declaration elevating bilateral ties to "Strategic Partnership", which will expand cooperation in key areas such as connectivity and economic cooperation.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Istana on Tuesday.

Modi's visit is at the invitation of Prime Minister Lee, as Singapore and India commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The Strategic Partnership outlines the two countries' interest in expanding cooperation in key areas like smart cities and urban solutions.

Singapore and India will enhance connectivity between both sides, including the expansion of air links, to help promote further trade and investment between the two countries as well as people-to-people links.

Leaders of the two countries also witnessed the signing of other agreements which further bilateral cooperation in the areas of defence, cyber security, anti-drug trafficking, humanitarian assistance as well as disaster relief.

During his two-day visit, Modi delivered a speech at the 37th Singapore Lecture and visited Little India with Lee and his wife on Monday. Modi had a vegetarian meal and caught a glimpse of the Deepavali light-up at Little India.

Modi is expected to deliver a special address at the India-Singapore Economic Convention and visit ITE College Central with Lee on Tuesday. Endit