DPM Tharman Shanmugaratnam's Call on Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi

Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam called on Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi this morning in Delhi, India. They discussed the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership, and agreed that cooperation should be deepened in future.

PM Modi expressed support for the expeditious conclusion of the Second CECA (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement) Review. PM Modi and DPM Tharman also agreed that there was scope to strengthen air connectivity between Singapore and India. In addition, they agreed to form a small team of officials from Singapore and India to explore new areas of cooperation in digital finance.  

PM Modi and DPM Tharman also discussed challenges in skills development, and the progress of Singapore’s collaboration with India in vocational skills training – including the two institutes that had been established in New Delhi and Udaipur, Rajasthan, and the prospect of a North East Skills Centre in Guwahati, Assam. Noting that the Delhi skills centre has achieved full and immediate placement of its graduating trainees in jobs (many at wages above the average), both PM Modi and DPM expressed hope that the centres could be examples of how skills training in India can be linked closely to jobs.

DPM also met Minister of Finance, Defence and Corporate Affairs Arun Jaitley yesterday. They discussed ways to strengthen relations in banking and finance, and to encourage Singapore investments in India.

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Prime Minister's Office
Singapore
22 July 2017