Singapore prime focus of India's act east policy, says PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Even as he paid glowing tributes to Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew at his funeral in the city state on Sunday, PM Narendra Modi utilised the opportunity to hold meetings with top leaders of Singapore, Israel, Australia and Canada, seeking to expand economic and strategic partnerships.

At the meeting with Israeli President, an invitation for Modi to visit Israel was reiterated. The exact dates of the visit will be worked out later.

On his first visit to Singapore as PM, Modi noted in his condolence message that Lee believed in India's potential "more than many of us did", adding, "India's relations with Singapore is one of our strongest relationships in the world and Singapore is a key pillar of India's Act East Policy".

Stating that Lee's personal life was an "inspiration for many like me", Modi wrote in the condolence book, "He (Lee) was a torchbearer of hope, not just for Singapore, but for all of Asia."

By deciding to attend Lee's funeral at a short notice, Modi signified the importance of Singapore in India's plans to expand its footprint in SE Asia and build smart cities, provide urban solutions and assist in skills building, people familiar with the matter said.

Singapore has been exhorting India to play a larger role in SE Asia. Experts indicated that Singaporean leadership believes that India could balance China's rise in the region.

According to experts, Singapore has played a key role in integrating India into ASEAN and recently its defence minister called upon India to play a larger role in the region following the rise in tensions due to China's growing interests in SE Asia.

Modi met Singapore's deputy PM as well as former PM Goh Chok Tong. The city state has taken the lead in building smart cities – new capital of Andhra– as part of the Centre's plan of developing 100 smart cities.