New Delhi: The president of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, will make a state visit to India from Jan. 14-18. This will be Shanmugaratnam’s first visit to India as president. A high-level delegation, including ministers, members of Parliament, and officials, will accompany him, an MEA press release stated.
Shanmugaratnam will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Jan. 16. During his visit, he will hold discussions with President Droupadi Murmu, who will also host a banquet in his honor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet with the Singaporean president. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other Indian dignitaries will meet Shanmugaratnam. He will also visit Odisha from Jan. 17-18.
India and Singapore enjoy extensive cooperation rooted in a long-standing tradition of friendship, trust, and mutual respect. Shanmugaratnam’s visit is expected to provide further momentum to bilateral relations, which were elevated to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Modi’s visit to Singapore in September 2024. The state visit marks the beginning of India and Singapore’s 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.