The agreements encompass collaboration in digital technologies, a partnership in the semiconductor sector, joint initiatives in health and medicine, and cooperation in education and skills development…reports Asian Lite News
India and Singapore exchanged four significant Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on Thursday, during the day-two visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the island country.
The agreements encompass collaboration in digital technologies, a partnership in the semiconductor sector, joint initiatives in health and medicine, and cooperation in education and skills development.
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The MoUs were exchanged in Parliament House of Singapore by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Singapore Vivian Balakrishnan in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong.
The first MoU was signed between Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information and India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, focusing on cooperation in digital technologies. It will facilitate closer cooperation between India and Singapore in the areas of digital technologies, such as DPI (Digital Public Infrastructure), cyber-security, 5G and emerging technologies such as super-computing, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. This MoU enables cooperation for upskilling and reskilling of workers relating to the digital domain under the ambit of this MoU.
The second MoU was signed between India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, establishing a partnership for the India-Singapore semiconductor ecosystem.
India and Singapore will cooperate in the areas of semiconductor cluster development and cultivation of talent in semiconductor design and manufacturing.
Singaporean companies, which are part of global semiconductor value chains, are keen to invest in India. Dialogue mechanisms set under this MoU will facilitate their investments in India.
The next MoU was signed between India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Singapore’s Ministry of Health, focussing on cooperation in the fields of health and medicine.
It will facilitate joint efforts on research and innovation in areas of mutual interest. It also aims to promote closer cooperation in the areas of human resource development in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector. It will complement our efforts to promote Indian healthcare professionals in Singapore.
The final MoU was signed between India’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Singapore’s Ministry of Education, aimed at fostering educational cooperation and skills development. It aims to promote closer cooperation in the areas of technical and vocational education and training. India and Singapore have active collaboration in the area of skill development. This MoU will complement those ongoing initiatives.
The MoUs were exchanged shortly after a ceremonial welcome of PM Modi at Parliament House of Singapore.
Modi along with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong visited the semiconductor facility of AEM Holdings Ltd in Singapore on Thursday. The two leaders are exploring synergies between the two countries in semiconductor manufacturing.
Lawrence Wong welcomed PM Modi at the semiconductor facility. The two leaders were seen interacting with the officials at the semiconductor facility.
The officials at the semiconductor facility of AEM Holdings Ltd also took pictures with PM Modi.
PM Modi’s visit to the semiconductor industry is significant in terms of enhanced trade opportunities between the two friendly countries, as Singapore, despite being a small city-state, has a well-developed semiconductor industry.
The semiconductor industry opens opportunities for India in many aspects, including collaboration in talent development as Singapore universities have developed customised courses for the semiconductor sector, and knowledge sharing about best practices of managing semiconductor industrial parks (called Wafer Fab Parks in Singapore).
In terms of factors of production, Singapore has limitations for land and labour. India, with abundant land and skilled labour, can be part of Singapore’s semiconductor value chain. Semiconductor companies in Singapore can be encouraged to consider India for their expansion plans.Singapore also has semiconductor equipment and material manufacturers. For the development of the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in India, engagement and collaboration with such companies may also be helpful.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi held a meeting with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong and talks focused on boosting cooperation between two nations in various sectors, including skilling, healthcare, artificial intelligence.
Taking to X, PM Modi stated, “The discussions with my friend, PM Lawrence Wong continued today. Our talks focused on boosting cooperation in areas like skilling, technology, healthcare, AI and more. We both agreed on the need to boost trade relations.”
Modi received the ceremonial welcome at Singapore’s Parliament House on Thursday. Wong welcomed PM Modi and the two leaders warmly greeted each other. He signed the visitors book at the Parliament House. PM Modi and Lawrence Wong met ministers and delegates from each other’s countries.
Before his arrival in Singapore, PM Modi was on an official visit to Brunei. During his visit, he held “wide ranging” talks with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan.
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