Delhi Chief Minister Mrs Sheila Dikshit today called on the visiting Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Lee Hsien Loong at New Delhi. During the meeting, both the leaders had discussions on bilateral issues. They also exchanged views on the issues concerning management of civic services.

Mrs Dikshit apprised Mr Loong about Delhi’s unique administrative set up, increasing population and pressure on civic services. She also expressed gratitude to visiting Singapore Prime Minister for rendering constructive cooperation in setting up a Greenfield Skill Development Institute at Jaunapur in South Delhi.

The Institute is being set up on the lines of a world class Institute at Singapore. Singapore is also helping Delhi in setting up of a modern water recycling plant having capacity 40 MGD per day. Mrs Dikshit added that her Government would be eager to set up such more plants after assessment of the results of the first plant. 

During the meeting, Mr. Loong appreciated the green cover of Delhi and assured of cooperation on behalf of his Government for possible cooperation in different fields.

Singapore has offered its expertise and assistance for infrastructure development in India. Addressing a business meet in New Delhi on Wednesday Singapore Prime Minster Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore can play a significant role in the development of real estate and roads . Mr. Loong said that economic and commercial ties between the two countries have expanded significantly in recent years particularly after the conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement CECA. He said economic reforms in India have created a strong basis for cooperation with Singapore, opening up possibilities for significant presence in each other’s economies. 

He said Singapore is also the largest FDI investor after Mauritius. He said apart from economic ties Singapore had old cultural relations and it had Sanskrit root in the name which is derived from Singa Purna.


Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed said trade between the two countries has increased from 8.7 million US dollars in 2005 to 1.8 billion dollars in 2011-12. He said 4000 people from India are residing in Singapore. He said Singapore is also playing a significant role in Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor. 

Lee Hsien Loong will hold discussions with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh later on Wednesday evening. The visiting dignitary was accorded(प्रदान करना) ceremonial reception at the fore court of Rashtrapati Bhawan.

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta today said his visit to New Delhi would focus on building a strong security relationship with India. In his address to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Panetta underlined the importance of India, along with Vietnam and other South East Asian countries as well as Australia and New Zealand as part of the US strategy for supporting peaceful environment in Asia Pacific. Panetta visits India from Tuesday.