Narendra Modi to visit Singapore, Indonesia to boost defence, space ties
Narendra Modi will be the first Indian prime minister to deliver keynote address at the Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit two key strategic partners of India—Indonesia and Singapore—within the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) from 29 May to 2 June, Indian foreign ministry officials said Thursday.
During both visits, India is expected to clinch agreements in defence and space, said Preeti Saran, secretary East, in India’s foreign ministry.
Modi’s first stop will be Jakarta, where he will hold talks with President Joko Widodo. Widodo had visited New Delhi in December 2016 and was among the 10 ASEAN heads of state and government to come to New Delhi as the chief guest for India’s Republic Day parade earlier this year. India had hosted all 10 ASEAN leaders for a commemorative summit to mark 25 years of partnership with the ASEAN.
India views Indonesia as its maritime neighbour with both countries sharing a maritime border with Indonesia along the Andaman Sea. Both are members of the Indian Ocean Rim group of countries and are part of a trilateral dialogue with Australia on the region.
On the second leg of his visit, Modi will reach Singapore on 31 May. The highlight of his visit to the city state will be the keynote address that Modi will deliver at the Shangri-La dialogue on 1 June. This is the first time that an Indian prime minister has been invited to deliver the keynote address and Modi is expected talk about India’s policy on peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Modi earlier visited Singapore in 2015, with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visiting India in 2016.
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