PM Modi’s Visit to Singapore: Strengthening Ties with Gulf Nations and ASEAN
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the significant progress in India’s relationship with Gulf nations over the past decade, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration. He emphasized that the policies now include investments, technology, security, and connectivity.
In an interview with ‘The Strait Times,’ Jaishankar addressed the perception that India’s focus is now more on the Gulf than ASEAN. He stated, “I would not take an either/or approach. Certainly, in the last decade, India’s ties with Gulf nations have really taken off.” He noted that previous governments viewed Gulf relations narrowly, focusing on trade, energy, and diaspora, whereas the current administration has broadened the scope.
Jaishankar also mentioned that the contributions of the Indian community are more acknowledged in the Gulf. He said, “We definitely feel that the contributions of our community are more strongly recognised in the Gulf.” He added that India’s ties with ASEAN have also deepened during this period.
He further explained that India, being the fifth-largest economy, will have multi-directional engagements. “The world is not a zero-sum game for us,” he said.
On the Act East policy, Jaishankar emphasized Singapore’s central role. He said, “Singapore, which was at the core of our Look East policy, has an equally central role in the Act East policy as well.” He highlighted Singapore’s partnership in security, connectivity, technology, and sustainability.
Jaishankar also mentioned the potential of the Trilateral Highway, which aims to connect India with Myanmar and Thailand, as a significant development for India’s Indo-Pacific engagement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of his visit, affirmed that the discussions will deepen India-Singapore Strategic Partnership. He said, “I look forward to my discussions to deepen our Strategic Partnership with Singapore, particularly in new and emerging areas of advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development.”
PM Modi arrived in Brunei for a two-day visit and will head to Singapore on September 5.
Doubts Revealed
PM Modi -: PM Modi is the Prime Minister of India. His full name is Narendra Modi.
Singapore -: Singapore is a small but very developed country in Southeast Asia. It is known for its cleanliness and advanced technology.
Gulf Nations -: Gulf Nations are countries in the Middle East that are near the Persian Gulf, like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar.
ASEAN -: ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is a group of countries in Southeast Asia that work together on economic and political issues.
External Affairs Minister -: The External Affairs Minister is a person in the Indian government who handles India’s relationships with other countries. Right now, it is S Jaishankar.
Investments -: Investments are when people or companies put money into something to make it grow, like starting a new business or building a factory.
Technology -: Technology means using science and machines to solve problems and make life easier, like computers and smartphones.
Security -: Security means being safe and protected from danger or threats.
Connectivity -: Connectivity means how well different places or people can connect and communicate with each other, like through the internet or transportation.
Indian community’s contributions -: This means the good things that people from India have done in other countries, like working hard and helping the economy.
Act East policy -: The Act East policy is India’s plan to improve relationships with countries in East and Southeast Asia.
Strategic partnerships -: Strategic partnerships are important relationships between countries to work together on big goals, like trade or security.
Advanced manufacturing -: Advanced manufacturing means using new technology to make things in a better and faster way.
Digitalization -: Digitalization is the process of using digital technology to change how things are done, like using computers instead of paper.
Sustainable development -: Sustainable development means making progress in a way that doesn’t harm the environment and can be continued for a long time.
