MEETINGS BETWEEN SINGAPORE LEADERS AND INDIA'S MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS HE MR SALMAN KHURSHID, 4 JULY 2013

The Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India Mr Salman Khurshid is in Singapore on an introductory visit from 3 to 5 July 2013.

On 3 July 2013, Mr Khurshid called separately on Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong, Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong and Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean.

During his meeting with Mr Khurshid, PM Lee underscored India’s importance to Singapore both in terms of bilateral relations and as a close partner of ASEAN.  PM Lee noted that relations were multi-faceted and on an upward trend.  Business links and trade had increased and there was scope for further growth.  PM Lee also encouraged India to expand its collaboration with ASEAN and the EAS member countries beyond existing initiatives.

ESM Goh and Mr Khurshid exchanged views on the security and economic outlook for the Asia-Pacific region. They also discussed ways to advance bilateral relations, and how bilateral trade and investment between India and ASEAN could be improved.

DPM Teo and Mr Khurshid reaffirmed the close and multi-faceted bilateral relations between Singapore and India, with many high-level visits between both countries and good people-to-people exchanges.  They discussed how to further strengthen the cooperation between both countries, especially on the economic front.  DPM Teo also expressed his condolences over the loss of lives in the recent floods in northern India.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam also hosted Mr Khurshid to dinner on 4 July 2013. They agreed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and India in 2015 through a series of commemorative activities and an exchange of high level visits.  They also exchanged views on key regional and international developments.