PM Narendra Modi to reach Singapore today

Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will depart from Malaysia on Monday and reach Singapore this evening on the final leg of his two-nation tour, after which he will return to India on Wednesday night ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament which is set to begin on November 26.

Trade, urban and skill development, defence co-operation and cyber security will be high on the agenda during the two-day visit.

Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Anil Wadhwa, had said earlier that the focus of the visit will be on 5 'S planks' which are - scale up trade and investment, speed up connectivity, smart cities, skill development and the State focus.

The Prime Minister will deliver a lecture today where his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong and some other prominent leaders are expected to be present.

He will have a series of engagements tomorrow, including with the country's President Tony Tan Keng Yam and the Prime Minister.

The two Prime Ministers will sign the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership to elevate bilateral relations.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore said in a press statement that the Strategic Partnership will broaden and deepen ties in various sectors including defence relations, economic and cultural cooperation, skills development and capacity building.

Both Prime Ministers will also unveil a commemorative stamp to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries.

Prime Minister Modi will lay a wreath at the Indian National Army memorial marker and visit Institute of Technical Education which is involved in skill development.

He will also address the India-Singapore Economic Convention, besides interacting with CEOs of Singapore to focus on the investment opportunities in India.

Before wrapping up his visit, the Prime Minister will address the Indian Diaspora in Singapore as around 3,50,000 ethnic Indians stay there, which is about 9.1 percent of resident population of the country.