Nirmala Sitharaman Meets Singapore PM, Talks Trade And Investment Ties

• FM Nirmala Sitharaman meets Singapore PM Lawrence Wong in New Delhi to strengthen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
• Talks focus on trade, investment, fintech, skill development, sustainability, healthcare & connectivity
• Visit marks 60 years of India-Singapore diplomatic ties; Wong to meet PM Modi & President Murmu during 3-day trip

Finance and Corporate Affairs Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had important talks with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to enhance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. In a tweet on Tuesday, the Ministry of Finance informed that the talk was about expanding cooperation in key areas such as trade and investment, fintech, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, and connectivity.

The two sides also reaffirmed a strong determination to enhance collaboration as India and Singapore commemorate 60 years of diplomatic ties. Singapore's acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance, Jeffrey Siow, as well as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry, Gan Siow Huang, were also present during the meeting.

"Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman received H.E. Mr. Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore, in New Delhi, today. The Union Finance Minister received H.E. Mr. Lawrence Wong on his inaugural Official Visit to India as the Prime Minister. Mr. Lawrence Wong's visit, falling on the 60th anniversary of India-Singapore diplomatic relations, reaffirms the shared commitment of both nations to further solidify the partnership", the Ministry of Finance informed in the post.

"From the Singapore side, Mr. Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport & Senior Minister of State for Finance, and Ms. Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs & Trade and Industry, also attended the meeting. The talks discussed deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in key areas of trade & investment, fintech, skilldevelopment, sustainability, healthcare, and connectivity. The two sides decided to further enhance cooperation in these sectors", it further stated.

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The Singaporean Prime Minister also took to X and shared the meeting with the Union Finance Minister. He added that outcomes of the recently concluded third round of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable held last month were discussed.

"Nice to catch up with India Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. We touched on the takeaways of the recent 3rd India-SG Ministerial Roundtable, and our enthusiasm to cooperate on cross-border data flows and capital markets", Wong wrote in the X post.

Singapore's Prime Minister is in the country on a three-day official visit, where he is scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier in the day, Wong reached the Delhi airport and was greeted by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary. It is PM Wong's first visit to India since assuming the office as Singapore's Prime Minister. He will be joined by his wife and a high-level delegation comprising Cabinet Ministers and senior officials.

PM Modi and the Singaporean PM are set to have bilateral talks on September 4. President Droupadi Murmu will be called upon by Prime Minister Wong as well. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other official dignitaries are set to call upon Prime Minister Wong during the visit as well.