President Droupadi Murmu welcomed Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking a historic milestone in India-Singapore relations.
On January 16, 2025, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, hosted H.E. Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The visit, part of a five-day State Visit from January 14-18, 2025, coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
President Tharman, accompanied by his spouse Mrs. Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam and a high-level delegation, was received with a Ceremonial Guard of Honour and warmly welcomed by President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The delegation included Singapore’s Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance Mr. Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State Ms. Sim Ann, and Members of Parliament.
During their meeting, President Murmu highlighted the robust partnership between India and Singapore, emphasizing the shared history, mutual respect, and extensive cooperation across sectors like advanced manufacturing, connectivity, digitalization, and healthcare. President Murmu also commended the recent elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the establishment of a unique Ministerial Roundtable mechanism.
Both leaders jointly launched a commemorative logo marking the 60th anniversary of India-Singapore ties. The discussions further reinforced Singapore’s role as a key pillar in India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision. President Murmu noted that the growing partnership would bring immense benefits to both nations as India progresses towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met with President Tharman, extensively reviewing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussing regional and global issues of shared interest. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and other senior Indian ministers held separate discussions with President Tharman to deepen cooperation.
President Tharman’s State Visit commenced celebrations of the diplomatic milestone, which also follows an eventful year in bilateral relations, highlighted by Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Singapore in September 2024. The visit will include a trip to Odisha on January 17-18, further showcasing the breadth of India-Singapore relations.
Source: MFA and MEA INDIA
Photo Credits: https://presidentofindia.nic.in/photo-gallery, https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/image-gallery/
