India, Singapore relations ‘warmest and closest’: PM
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the “warmest and closest” relationship between India and Singapore, saying the future is a world of unlimited opportunities and the two lions (countries) shall step into it together.
Modi, who arrived in Singapore on the last leg of his three-nation tour earlier on Thursday, said the defence relations between the two countries are among the strongest and the two sides are building a “partnership of our age.”
“When India opened up to the world and turned to the East, Singapore became a partner and a bridge between India and ASEAN. Political relations between India and Singapore are among the warmest and closest. There are no contests or claims, or doubts,” Modi told the Indian diaspora at a Business and Community Event at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre here.
“It is a natural partnership from a shared vision. Our defence relations are among the strongest, for both. My Armed Forces speak with great respect and admiration for Singapore's Armed Forces. India's longest continuous naval exercise is with Singapore,” he said, highlighting the deep defence ties.
He said that in international forums, the two countries speak in one voice in the cause of a rules-based order, sovereign equality of all nations, and free and open pathways of commerce and engagement.
“It is a partnership at the front-line of India's global engagement. Singapore is both a leading investment source and destination for India. Singapore was the first country with which we signed a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement,” Modi said.
“On the foundations of this extraordinary heritage, the wealth of our human links and the strength of our shared values, India and Singapore are building a partnership of our age. It is a relationship that truly meets the test of strategic partnership,” the prime minister said, amid applause.
He said that India will work with Singapore to bring the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to early conclusion. He also said the India-singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement has been reviewed and the two sides will work to further upgrade it.
“As India's engagement with the region grows, Singapore will remain a gateway to ASEAN and the broader East. This year, Sinagapore's Chairmanship
of ASEAN will take India's relations with ASEAN further and farther ahead,” he added. Modi said that in many area of India's development priorities, Singapore is a key partner: smart cities, urban solutions, financial sector, skills development, ports, logistics, aviation and industrial parks.
“So, India and Singapore are contributing to each other's prosperity. And, now we
are building new partnerships for the digital world,” he said, adding they will be the bridge of innovation and enterprise between India, Singapore and ASEAN.
“Together, we will work for using the power of mobile and digital technology for governance and inclusion. Together, we can build a great economic partnership of the new age,” he added. NEW DELHI: Concerned over China's activities on water diversion projects involving the Brahmaputra river, Bangladesh which shares 54 rivers with India has demanded upgradation of the existing Indo-bangla Joint River Commission (JRC) to a river basin management system.
Addressing a meet the press programme at the Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC) here on Thursday, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzam Ali said the crucial topic came for discussion between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week when they met in West Bengal. Sheikh Hasina was on a twoday visit to West Bengal during which she also met State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Admitting that water sharing remains a “very sensitive” issue between the two countries, the High Commissioner said Dhaka had also noted with concern China's refusal to share data pertaining to rivers with India.
“Our Prime Minister also impressed upon Mr. Modi to undertake joint dredging operations in our rivers which should be taken up simultaneously. She also pointed to the need for upgrading the joint river commission to an institutional system of basin management which would take care of other related issues as well because there will be a better coordination,” he said.
As Bangladesh is keen to have an agreement with India on Teesta water sharing which remains blocked due to objections by West Bengal government, the High Commissioner expressed the hope that the State government would come on board after internal discussions with the Union government and Sikkim government.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, in her annual press conference on May 28, had also said that it was important for West Bengal government to be on board for any agreement with Bangladesh on sharing of Teesta water.
Asked if Teesta agreement could come about before December when general elections in Bangladesh are due, he said Dhaka would be looking at it in a positive way as BIMSTEC summit is also due to be held in November. “We are trying to make right kind of progress on this issue as well as on repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar who have taken shelter in Bangladesh,” he said.
On the status of Indo-bangla relations, the High Commissioner said the bilateral ties were at an all-time high level, adding that he could feel that the 1971 spirit was back.
Syed Muazzam Ali said India and Bangladesh which has 4,000 km running border with India has settled land and maritime boundaries with India and gave the credit for it to the two Prime Ministers – Modi and Sheikh Hasina.
He said Dhaka has declared “zero tolerance” policy towards terrorism and added that a viable and secure Bangladesh would be to the advantage of India.
“Similarly, a vibrant India will offer a great opportunity for economic development of Bangladesh,” the freedom fighter-diplomat said.