The bilateral trade with Singapore is about Dollars 17 billion and Singaporean companies are very active in India since early 1990s, including in equity markets. The Prime Minister termed the discussions “comprehensive” and “fruitful”.
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Cameron spoke of the his country’s desire to invest in India.
In a veiled reference to Xi’s visit, Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow said, “Sceptics sometimes suggest that democracy is all but impossible to create or to maintain in countries of a certain size, degree of diversity, or level of economic development…”
Modi last Friday said that India’s diversity was the country’s “strength and pride” and underlined the importance of peaceful co-existence.
The Prime Minister said the IAS officers’ opening stint at the Centre- a new experiment started by his government-would have helped them understand the broad vision of the central government and look at their work in the field over the next 10 years as an opportunity to realize that vision.
Seeking a transparent and non-discriminatory global trading system, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said all elements of the WTO’s Bali pact should be fully implemented.
India and Singapore decided in October to revive a Joint Working Group on Intelligence Cooperation on Combating Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime, so greater defense and intelligence co-operation will be high on the agenda during the visit. Modi’s visit made it clear that he regards Britain as vital as India seeks to build its domestic economy. With the completion of procedures, including administrative arrangements, the India Australia Civil Nuclear Agreement will enter into force. The two summits would provide a platform for Modi to also interact for the second time with leaders of ASEAN and EAS countries after his interactions with them at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar previous year, giving a further boost to India’s Act East policy.
“Normally, the Prime Minister likes to address a gathering of Indian expats and I am sure that same pattern will follow in both these countries”, he said. He also announced that procedure regarding becoming Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) will also be simplified.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived home on Tuesday morning after attending the G-20 Summit at Antalya. Commercial deals worth 13 Billion United States $ were signed during the visit. Interestingly, his visit marks the milestone 50 years of the establishment of India-Singapore diplomatic relations.
“What reason does the Prime Minister have about the contracting exports of iron ore, rice, oil seeds and jewellery for which India is famous for”, Singhvi asked.
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India also has cultural links with United Kingdom, as India has the largest English speaking population in the world and also follows English sports as Cricket which is immensely popular in India. “Over 2 million persons of Indian origin reside in Malaysia”.
