SINGAPORE'S CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES TO INDIA ON THE OCCASION OF INDIA'S 70TH INDEPENDENCE DAY, 15 AUGUST 2016

President Tony Tan Keng Yam has written to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee to convey his congratulations on the occasion of India’s 70th Independence Day on 15 August 2016.  Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has also written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convey his best wishes. 

The text of their respective letters is appended. 

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Congratulatory Letter from President Tony Tan Keng Yam

15 August 2016

His Excellency Pranab Mukherjee

President

Republic of India

Your Excellency,

                On behalf of the people of Singapore, I am pleased to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Your Excellency and the people of India on the joyous occasion of the Republic of India’s 70th Independence Day.

                Relations between Singapore and India remain strong and look set to grow despite challenges in the global economy.  As our people-to-people relations flourish, I am delighted by the excellent progress in bilateral projects and initiatives on various fronts including trade, skills development, defence cooperation, and Smart Cities development.  The India-Singapore Strategic Partnership, together with other bilateral agreements, will create new opportunities for collaboration and elevate the bilateral relationship to a higher level.

                With fond memories of the warm hospitality extended to my delegation when I visited India last February, I look forward to receiving Your Excellency in Singapore in the near future.

                Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

TONY TAN KENG YAM

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Congratulatory Letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

15 August 2016

Dear Prime Minister Modi,

                My warmest congratulations to Your Excellency on the joyous occasion of India’s 70th Independence Day.

                Singapore and India share a longstanding friendship underpinned by strong historical, commercial, cultural and kinship ties.  The India-Singapore Strategic Partnership signed during your visit to Singapore last November is a further sign of our excellent relations.  It also provides a roadmap for cooperation in many fields: trade and investment, skills development, defence cooperation, and Smart Cities.  I am confident that our bilateral ties will continue to grow and deepen.

                I look forward to meeting you again when I visit India in October to explore new avenues of cooperation.

                I wish Your Excellency continued good health and every success.

Yours sincerely,

LEE HSIEN LOONG