Sushma Swaraj to travel to Singapore, smart city project on agenda

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will travel to Singapore, one of the key trading parters of India, on Friday to explore deeper cooperation, particularly in implementation of government's ambitious smart city project and flag off year-long celebrations to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Swaraj, during her three-day trip, will hold meetings with top leaders of Singapore including Prime Minister Lee Hsien and her counterpart K Shanmugam.

Her engagements in the country include flagging off year-long celebration to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations and meetings with think tanks and vibrant Indian diaspora.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said the Minister will explore possibility of Singapore's involvement in the Smart City project and whether it can participate in rejuvenation of other Indian cities.

Singapore is India's largest trading partner in ASEAN grouping. It is also the source of highest FDI to India which was $ 5.9 billion last year.

Singapore is also destination of highest Indian investments abroad during the last decade. It houses 4,000-4,500 Indian companies who have offices there.

The Spokesperson said Swaraj will also try to obtain Singapore's cooperation in various other infrastructure projects.

He said Swaraj will also look for cooperation with Singapore in replicating its water conservation and recycling projects in some of the big cities in India.

Approximately, 30 per cent of Singapore's water supply comes from recycling of water and rain water harvesting.

Meanwhile, asked when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake his Japan visit, Akbaruddin said it will be announced day after tomorrow.