Jaishankar Wraps Singapore Visit, Holds Talks With Top Officials Including PM Lee Hsien Loong

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar paid an official visit to Singapore from Saturday (March 23) as the first leg of his visit to Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia. 

The external affairs minister held several bilateral engagements with the leadership and senior Ministers of the Cabinet. 

Jaishankar was on a three-day visit to Singapore and reached Singapore on Saturday. He addressed the Indian diaspora on Sunday and met with investors on Saturday. 

Great to catch up with Minister of Home Affairs & Law K Shanmugam as I end my Singapore visit.

Appreciate his insights and assessments. Value his consistent support for our strategic partnership. pic.twitter.com/iYPhrizl2X

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 25, 2024

Jaishankar called on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and met Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong. 

“They exchanged views on deepening engagement in the identified pillars of our cooperation including fintech, digitalization, green economy, skills development and food security,” a statement of the Ministry of External Affairs said. 

Delighted to meet Singapore FM @VivianBala.

Reviewed the progress of our bilateral cooperation. Spoke about preparations for the next ISMR meeting. Discussed marking 60 years of our diplomatic ties.

Exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific and West Asia. pic.twitter.com/6M586H7fbI

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 25, 2024

Jaishankar also met with Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean. He held comprehensive discussions with Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Foreign Affairs on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. 

The foreign minister also had a productive meeting with Gan Kim Yong, Minister of Trade and Industry, focused on bilateral co-operation in Trade and Investment, green energy and food security. 

Good to meet with Singapore Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean.

Discussed the transformational changes in India and the opportunities they offer for our partnership.

Also exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues. pic.twitter.com/itZQYunB9p

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 25, 2024

“EAM paid homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the INA marker in Singapore. He met members of the Indian community and interacted with them. He also witnessed a short video on the ‘Saga of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’, created by Indian Community members,” the statement added. 

He also attended an event organised by the Institute of South Asian Studies, where he interacted with think tanks and policy makers.

The visit presented an opportunity to further deepen the Strategic Partnership between India and Singapore and to take stock of progress in several areas of cooperation, the statement said. 

Singapore is also the current country coordinator for India at ASEAN and was invited as a Guest Country during India’s Presidency of the G20 in 2023.