PM Narendra Modi on maiden visit to Singapore from tomorrow

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Singapore on his maiden official visit beginning tomorrow during which the two countries will elevate their relations to strategic partnership by signing an agreement.

During his visit Prime Minister Modi will meet his counterpart Lee Hsien Loong, President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

An official welcome ceremony will be held for Modi on Tuesday, the final day of his two-day visit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said today.

The same day, the two premiers - Modi and Lee - will sign the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership to boost bilateral ties.

"The Strategic Partnership will broaden and deepen ties across various sectors including defence relations, economic and cultural cooperation, skills development and capacity building," said the statement.

Modi's visit also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and India this year, and underscores the excellent and longstanding ties between the two countries.

"To mark this milestone, the two Prime Ministers will unveil a commemorative joint stamp issue," the statement said.

Modi, who is visiting the city-state at the invitation of Lee, will also be hosted to an official lunch at the Istana (Presidential Palace) by his counterpart.

He will deliver the 37th Singapore Lecture tomorrow, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

He will also deliver a Special Address at the India- Singapore Economic Convention hosted by Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran on Tuesday and interact with Singapore business leaders.

In addition, Prime Minister Modi will visit ITE (technical) College Central together with Prime Minister Lee, where he will learn more about Singapore's approach to vocational education and skills training.

Prime Minister Modi will be accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and senior officials from the Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of External Affairs.