Toast by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the official dinner hosted by His Excellency Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of the Republic of India

Your Excellency Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh

Madam Gursharan Kaur

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

1.     I thank Prime Minister Singh for his warm welcome and very gracious hospitality. It has been seven years since I last visited India. Much has changed, but your warmth and kindness remain the same.

2.     Singapore and India share longstanding ties. When Prime Minister Singh visited Singapore last November, he unveiled a Nehru marker along the Singapore River. It symbolised the historical links and enduring friendship between our two countries. Nehru visited Singa¬pore three times, and inspired many Asian nationalists, including those in Singapore, to fight for freedom from colonial rule. The Singapore River brought many Indian traders to Singapore in the 19th and early-20th centuries. They settled in Singapore and made many important contributions to my country.

3.     Our bilateral relations are in good repair. When I last visited India in 2005, Prime Minister Singh and I signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). CECA is the cornerstone of our economic relations. Thanks to CECA, bilateral trade has more than tripled. Singapore is the second largest cumulative investor in India, which is remarkable considering our size. Singapore is also the top overseas investment destination for Indian companies, which now form the largest foreign corporate contingent in Singapore.

4.     We see many more opportunities to grow our economic links. Our companies are keen to invest in India, whether in the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor or in township development and water-related projects. More Indian companies can also establish offices in Singapore to reach out to the world. Therefore I hope we can conclude the second CECA review quickly. This will strengthen our ties, and benefit our businesses and our peoples.

5.     Defence cooperation is another important pillar of our relationship. Singapore deeply appreciates the opportunity for the Singapore Armed Forces to train with the Indian Armed Forces. Singapore and India renewed our Air Force Bilateral Agreement today. Our air forces can continue to train with, and learn from, each other. These interactions are not just professionally valuable; they build mutual trust and contribute to regional peace and stability. We therefore look forward to renewing the Army Bilateral Agreement next year.

6.     I am glad that we are broadening our bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Singh and I witnessed the signing of the MOU on the Cooperation in Vocational Education and Skills Development earlier today. Our ITE and the Delhi State Government have agreed to collaborate on a World Class Skills Centre in Delhi, which would train up to 15,000 students yearly. Our parliamentarians will launch the India-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship Group. We appreciate the opportunity to learn from the world’s biggest democracy and I hope Singapore’s experience is useful to your lawmakers. I also welcome the recent coming into force of the Singapore-India MOU to expand air services between our countries. This will increase trade flows and people-to-people exchanges, and bring our countries closer together.

7.     As India’s influence and stature in the world continue to grow, we look forward to India playing a greater international and regional role. India has a vital contribution to make to the peace and growth of Asia. We value India’s engagement in the Asia Pacific and what you bring to ASEAN and the East Asia Summit. They signify India’s commitment to a stronger regional architecture and your support for ASEAN’s goal of an ASEAN Community. We also support India’s efforts to bring together Asia’s brightest minds to learn about our shared histories, cultures and religions through the Nalanda University project. ASEAN and India celebrate 20 years as dialogue partners together this year, and I look forward to returning to India in December for the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit.

8.     Prime Minister, the Singapore-India relationship is in excellent shape and and growing better. We share similar strategic perspectives on many issues. I am confident that our friendship will strengthen in the years ahead.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

9.     May I now invite you to rise and join me in a toast to

• The continued good health and success of Your Excellency Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Madam Kaur;
• The peace, progress and prosperity of India; and
• The enduring friendship between India and Singapore.

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