Singapore needs to continue to engage with ASEAN and India: President Tharman

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], January 18 (ANI): Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam highlighted that Singapore's need to continue to engage with ASEAN neighbors, India, and China.

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The President noted that these relationships are crucial for Singapore's future success, as they provide opportunities for growth, sustainability, and stability.

"...The people-to-people relations have always been intrinsic to the relationship...It's not possible for us in Singapore to do well in the future without engaging closely with our ASEAN neighbours, India, China that's where the opportunities are and that's where we also develop our sense of being contributors to Asia's growth, sustainability and stability," he said during his visit to Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

He also emphasized the significance of people-to-people connections, which have always been an intrinsic part of the relationship between Singapore and other regional nations.

Tharman's statement comes at a time when Singapore is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its diplomatic relations with India. The country is also seeking to strengthen its ties with other regional nations, including those in ASEAN and India.

The Singapore President is on a four-day state visit to India, which began on January 14, and he arrived in Odisha on Friday as part of his ongoing trip.

Tharman noted that Singapore's relationship with India is strengthened not only by those of Indian origin but by all Singaporeans and pointed out that Singaporeans, both with Indian ancestry and newer immigrants from India, are an important part of the bilateral ties.

However, he added that it is equally important for non-Indian Singaporeans to engage with India, explore its opportunities, and embrace its diversity.

"Singaporeans who are through the generations, had ancestors who came from India as well as the newer immigrants who come from India, are an important part of the relationship. But very importantly, it's about all Singaporeans," Tharman said.

"Non-Indian Singaporeans will have to take an interest in India and get excited by India with all its diversity, all its opportunities and all its texture. And there are many examples now of Singaporeans, not Indians, but non-Indian Singaporeans who are spending time in India and finding it most worthwhile," he added.

He stated that this relationship might not provide economic opportunity but it broadens their worldview. (ANI)

(The story has come from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Tribune Staff.)