Singapore's Defence Minister, Dr. Ng Eng Hen, visited India to participate in the sixth India-Singapore Defence Ministers' Dialogue, co-chaired with India's Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh. The meeting highlighted the strategic partnership between the two nations, celebrating ten years of enhanced economic, cultural, and defense cooperation.
The dialogue commenced on a positive note, with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warmly welcoming the Singapore delegation. He emphasized that the strategic partnership is a testament to the growing closeness between the two countries. This meeting is particularly significant as it coincides with the tenth anniversary of India’s Act East Policy, a framework in which Singapore has played a crucial role in fostering economic collaboration and cultural connections, as well as in developing strategic connectivity.
Building on Singh's comments, Dr. Ng Eng Hen noted, "You reminded us that this is the 10th year since your Act East Policy. From Singapore's perspective, India has always been part of the East. Whether you choose to act or look, we consider you part of the area."
Dr. Hen reflected on the historical ties between Singapore and India, stating that India has been a vital partner since the early days of the Singapore Armed Forces. "When we started the Singapore armed forces, one of the countries that we asked early on to see whether they could help us was India," he said. This shared history serves as a reminder of the deep-rooted connections and mutual support that have characterized their relationship over the years. Dr. Hen expressed satisfaction with the significant improvements in their defense and overall strategic partnership during the past decade.
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