Singapore PM meets his Indian counterpart

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met here Sunday with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, reaffirming the excellent state of bilateral relations that continue to deepen and broaden in scope, covering areas such as high-level consultations, trade and investment, defense, security, education, culture and people-to-people ties. They agreed that economic linkages have expanded considerably since the conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in 2005; and they expressed the hope that the early conclusion of the ongoing second review of the CECA will further enhance the vibrant economic relationship, according to the statement released by the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. The statement says that both prime ministers agreed to explore new areas of collaboration particularly in the fields of vocational education and skills training, as well as urban development. The prime ministers welcomed the signing of the MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Personnel Management and Public Administration as well as the fifth Executive Program on Cooperation in the Fields of Arts, Heritage, Archives and Library. These agreements serve to further boost the strong institutional linkages and exchanges in the bilateral relationship. A regular dialogue will be established between the Parliament and the Lok Sabha (Indian Lower House of Parliament). In their wide ranging discussions, the prime ministers also exchanged views on international and regional developments including the global economic situation, and outcomes of the recently concluded ASEAN-India Summit and East Asia Summit. Prime Minister Lee expressed the hope that India will continue to deepen its engagement of Singapore and Southeast Asia, including the ASEAN.