PM Modi to have jam-packed schedule in Singapore

Press Trust of India  |  Singapore 

will have a number of high-profile multilateral and bilateral meetings with global leaders including US and premier during his two-day visit here beginning Wednesday, Indian officials said Tuesday.

He will also attend the 13th Summit (EAS) and (RCEP) Summit hosted by as the of grouping.

"The ASEAN-Breakfast Summit at will provide an opportunity to review progress in the relationship," the statement said.

During the visit, will have a bilateral meeting with his Singapore counterpart Lee.

On the margins of these Summits, will hold bilateral meetings with other leaders.

Prime Minister Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with US Pence on November 14, the said in

The said last week that Pence and Modi would discuss the India-US defence cooperation and the bilateral relationship during their meeting in Singapore.

As strategic partners, and enjoy close trade and economic relations. Trade between India and stood at USD 81.33 billion in 2017-18 and constitutes 10.58 per cent of India's total trade. Exports to ASEAN countries constitute 11.28 per cent of India's total exports.

In January, India hosted ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit to celebrate 25 years of Dialogue Partnership, 15 years of Summit Level interaction and 5 years of Strategic Partnership.

In an unprecedented gesture, all 10 ASEAN Leaders attended the Commemorative Summit and graced the celebrations as Chief Guests.

During the Summit, leaders reviewed the whole range of ASEAN-India cooperation and adopted the Delhi Declaration.

The Summit is a premier leaders-led forum in the Region comprising of the 10 ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the and Vietnam) and its eight dialogue partners - India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US and

Since its inception in 2005, it has played an important role in reviewing political, security and economic developments in the region, the statement said.

"This will be Prime Minister's fifth engagement with EAS. At the 13th EAS, Prime Minister will join other leaders to discuss international developmental issues such as information and communications technology, smart cities, maritime cooperation, education, finance, food security, environment and at both the retreat and plenary sessions.

"They will also deliberate on global and regional issues of mutual interest," the statement said.

Modi will attend the RCEP Summit to review the progress made on the negotiations presently underway to finalise the RCEP, a proposed free trade agreement presently being negotiated amongst 16 countries 10 ASEAN member-states and India, Australia, China, Japan, and

The agreement, once finalised, will cover 45 per cent of the world population, 40 per cent of the world trade and 34 per cent of the global GDP amounting to USD 21.3 trillion.

Since the commencement of negotiations in 2012, considerable progress has been achieved during the 24 rounds of negotiations at experts' level and 12 Ministerial Sessions.

"India remains committed to a forward looking and balanced outcome that results in a modern, comprehensive, high quality and mutually beneficial economic partnership," the statement said.

On November 14, Modi will deliver a keynote address at the Fintech Festival- the of Government to do so.

The festival, now in its third edition, is one of the largest events on and will see participation from Indian companies as well, the statement said.

On the same day, he will felicitate the winners and participants of India-Singapore Hackathon conducted by the and of Singapore.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Tue, November 13 2018. 17:05 IST