India, Singapore sign key agreement to boost maritime cooperation

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Finance
14-November, 2017 12:04 IST
The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley to leave on a two day official visit to Singapore tonight; Scheduled to meet the Singapore Prime Minister, Deputy Finance Minister and Finance Minister during his visit; To meet the Senior Fund Managers and key Financial Institutional Investors for making investment in the country .


The Finance Minister of India, Shri Arun Jaitley will leave on an official visit to Singapore tonight. He will be on two day visit to Singapore on 15th and 16th November, 2017. The Finance Minister will be accompanied by Shri Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA),Ministry of Finance. During the visit, the Finance Minister Shri Jaitley will re-enforce close ties between India and Singapore building upon our shared history, rooted in strong commercial, culture and people-to-people links.

On November 15, 2017, the Finance Minister will visit the Singapore Expo and deliver the Keynote Address at the Singapore Fintech Festival, a global event attracting over 10,000 participants. He will also pay a visit to the India Pavilion set- up at the Expo, showcasing India’s achievements in advancing financial technology, both within and outside the Government.

On 16th November, the Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley will deliver the Keynote Address at Morgan Stanley Sixteenth (16th) Annual Asia Pacific Summit in Singapore on the topic of “India: Structural Reforms and Growth Path Ahead". As part of the Summit, Shri Jaitley will meet the senior management of Morgan Stanley, and also address a gathering of Senior Fund Managers and key Financial Institutional Investors.

During the visit, the Finance Minister of India, Shri Arun Jaitley will meet the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) of Singapore, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam to discuss the bilateral issues with him. He will also discuss investment and other issues with his Singapore counterpart and the Finance Minister Mr Heng Swee Keat.

During the visit, the Finance Minister of India, Shri Arun Jaitley is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong.

An Investors’ Roundtable is being organised by the Ministry of Finance, Govt of India and the Indian High Commission in Singapore to showcase to foreign investors slew of investor friendly reforms undertaken by the Government of India and also to understand their ideas and suggestions about ramping-up investments in India. The Roundtable will be co-chaired by Shri Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary DEA; and Ms Tan Ching Yee, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Government of Singapore. The Finance Minister Shri Jaitley will also address the investors in the beginning. The participants in the Investors’ Roundtable include Senior Executives of Leading Institutional Investors and Business Houses in Singapore, who control significant investments globally and have either existing investments in India, or are contemplating such investments in the country in the near future.

During the two day official visit starting tomorrow, the Finance Minister of India, Shri Arun Jaitley will also have meetings with CEOs of GIC, the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) of Government of Singapore, the Chairman of Development Bank of Singapore (DBS), CEO of Singapore Airlines, Chairman of Blackstone Asia Pacific and CEO of Singapore Stock Exchange among others.

During the visit, the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley will also interact with the Chairman and Board of Directors of Temasek, a leading investment company, headquartered in Singapore.

The Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley will return to New Delhi late in evening of November 16, 2017 after completion of his two day visit to Singapore.

*****

 

[Hindustani78]

The Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Singapore, Mr. S. Iswaran calling on the Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, in New Delhi on November 16, 2017.

The Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Singapore, Mr. S. Iswaran calling on the Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, in New Delhi on November 16, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Vice President's Secretariat
16-November, 2017 19:51 IST
India and Singapore are partners in progress and sustainable development: Vice President

Interacts with Singapore Minister of Trade and Industry

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that India and Singapore are partners in progress and sustainable development. He was interacting with the Minister of Trade and Industry, Singapore, Mr. S. Iswaran, who called on him, here today.

The Vice President said that India admires Singapore’s emergence as a shining example of a harmonious, multicultural and multiracial society. He further said that a number of Indian states have developed productive partnership with Singapore. We believe in cooperative and competitive federalism and states are focussing on socio-economic development in a concerted manner, he added.

The Vice President said that that both India and Singapore are important to each other’s progress and prosperity. He further said that Singapore is an important partner in India’s development priorities. India is at the cusp of a major transformation an all spheres including the ease of doing business, he added.

The Vice President expressed his happiness that a Singapore consortium has started developing the start-up area in the new capital city Amaravati of Andhra Pradesh. This can very well develop as a future model for new projects all over India.

***

Ministry of Finance
16-November, 2017 15:57 IST
The Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley calls on the Prime Minister of Singapore on the last day of his two day official visit to Singapore; Both the leaders recalled the shared history of both the countries, rooted in strong commercial, culture and people-to-people links; FM addresses the 16th Annual Asia Pacific Summit of Morgan Stanley on "India: Structural Reforms and Growth Path Ahead ".

FM re-iterates his Government’s commitment for both increasing the public expenditure on infrastructure and creating environment for private participation in infrastructure to boost employment and provide impetus to overall economic growth.

The Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley called on the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong today on the second and last day of his two day official visit to Singapore. Both the leaders recalled the shared history of both the countries, rooted in strong commercial, culture and people-to-people links. They also discussed the meeting between the two Prime Ministers and elevation of India-Singapore Partnership to a strategic level and actions taken to translate their vision. Both the leaders discussed at length the roll-out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), issues of common interest, such as bilateral trade and investment, and measures to increase the engagements in these areas and the further road map for enhancing India- Singapore Economic and Commercial ties.

Earlier, the Union Finance Minister, Shri Jaitley in his Keynote Address at Morgan Stanley 16th Annual Asia Pacific Summit in Singapore today on "India: Structural Reforms and Growth Path Ahead " elucidated on the current state of India’s economy, outlining the key reforms being implemented by the present Government with a view to position India as an attractive global investment destination. He specifically mentioned the roll-out of the monumental tax reform, GST; the Bank Re-Capitalization package, Ease of Doing Business in India, crackdown against black money, Demonetization and other follow-up measures; and reforms in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy regime. The Finance Minister, Shri Jaitley re-iterated his Government’s commitment for both increasing the public expenditure on infrastructure and creating environment for private participation in infrastructure to boost employment and provide impetus to overall economic growth.

The Finance Minister, Shri Jaitley also addressed the senior fund managers and the key Financial Institutional investors and answered queries on various tax issues including GST, Fiscal policy, impact of the Bank Re-Capitalization Package on banks' NPAs, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and so on. He also met with the Senior Management of Morgan Stanley.

The Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley also met the Chairman and Board of Directors of Temasek, Singapore; one of the largest investment companies in Asia, and discussed the investment opportunities available across various sectors in India including, their investment in the National Investment and Infrastructure (NIIF).

The Finance Minister, Shri Jaitley will return to New Delhi late in the evening today after successfully completing his two day official visit to Singapore.

*****

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/643105/3-key-reforms-have-improved.html

Press Trust of India, Singapore, Nov 16 2017, 16:50 IST

Arun Jaitley addressing a roundtable during his Singapore visit.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said three key structural reforms -- Aadhaar, Demonetisation and GST -- have enhanced transparency and helped in the transition from cash to less cash economy.

Jaitley made this comment before a gathering of investors while highlighting various achievements like the ease of doing business ranking by the World Bank.

"The three key structural reforms implemented by the present government in recent years viz Aadhaar, Demonetisation and GST have brought transparency and efficiency in governance and helped in the transition from cash to less cash economy and from informal to formal economy," he said in an address to investors here yesterday.

To provide further impetus to the economy, the present government has implemented a slew of economic reforms one after the other, including the rollout of the game-changing tax reform Goods and Services Tax (GST) from July 1, 2017; introduction of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and the re-capitalisation package for the banks, he said.

Recapitalisation will help to redress the twin balance sheet problem and revive private investment, he added.

The finance minister also spoke about the major initiatives undertaken by the present government, including crackdown against black money through demonetisation and other follow-up measures, and major changes in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy regime with an aim to make it more liberal and investor friendly.

Various initiatives taken by the present government in the last three years resulted in India jumping in World Bank's "Ease of Doing Business" Index from 142 in 2014 to 100 in October 2017, he added.

Jaitley, who is on a two-day visit, met the CEO and Senior officials of sovereign wealth fund of Singapore GIC and discussed investment opportunities across multiple sectors in India, including National Investment and Infrastructure (NIIF).

Accompanying Economic Affairs Secretary S C Garg had a bilateral meeting with Tan Ching Yee, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Government of Singapore and discussed issues relating to the Host country's concerns on the matters of Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).

During an investors' conference, Garg responded to a number of questions relating to Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Singapore, currency stability, fiscal deficit, India's sovereign rating, supply chain and issues on the power sector, among others.

 

[Hindustani78]

Prime Minister's Office
13-December, 2017 20:07 IST
Mr. Goh Chok Tong, Emeritus Senior Minister of Singapore calls on PM


Mr. Goh Chok Tong, Emeritus Senior Minister of Singapore, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.

The Prime Minister warmly recalled their long association, and congratulated Mr. Goh Chok Tong on assuming charge as the Chairman of the Governing Board of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy earlier this year.

The Prime Minister welcomed the momentum imparted by the exchange of several high-level visits between India and Singapore in recent years, and appreciated the strengthening of the bilateral relationship in all sectors, including Trade & Investment, Connectivity, and Defence & Security.

The Prime Minister said that Singapore has a special place in India’s Act East Policy, built on the foundation of strong India-ASEAN relationship. The Prime Minister credited Mr. Goh Chok Tong as an early and strong votary of ASEAN’s engagement with India.

The two leaders also discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest.

***

The former Prime Minister, Singapore, Mr. Goh Chok Tong calling on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on December 13, 2017.

The former Prime Minister, Singapore, Mr. Goh Chok Tong calling on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on December 13, 2017.

The former Prime Minister, Singapore, Mr. Goh Chok Tong calling on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on December 13, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Permanent Secretary (Defence), Republic of Singapore, Mr. Chan Yang Kit calling on the Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, in New Delhi on May 01, 2018.

The Permanent Secretary (Defence), Republic of Singapore, Mr. Chan Yang Kit calling on the Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, in New Delhi on May 01, 2018.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and the Permanent Secretary (Defence), Republic of Singapore, Mr. Chan Yang Kit exchanging memento on the occasion of the 12th Meeting of India – Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue, in New Delhi on May 01, 2018.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and the Permanent Secretary (Defence), Republic of Singapore, Mr. Chan Yang Kit exchanging memento on the occasion of the 12th Meeting of India – Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue, in New Delhi on May 01, 2018.

The Defence Secretary, Shri Sanjay Mitra and the Permanent Secretary (Defence), Republic of Singapore, Mr. Chan Yang Kit at the 12th Meeting of India – Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue, in New Delhi on May 01, 2018.

The Defence Secretary, Shri Sanjay Mitra and the Permanent Secretary (Defence), Republic of Singapore, Mr. Chan Yang Kit at the 12th Meeting of India – Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue, in New Delhi on May 01, 2018.

 

[北京烤鴨]

i wish we didnt have anything to do with india though.

india is like an anvil that will pull us down the water

hahaha agreed. Soon we Chinese will issue a warning to Singapore, please dont mind here.

How dare they communicate with these damn Indians

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Commerce & Industry
24-August, 2018 18:05 IST
2nd Protocol Amending India – Singapore CECA Signed

Deputy Chief Negotiators of India and Singapore signing the 2nd protocol amending CECA

India and Singapore today signed the Second Protocol amending the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in New Delhi. The Protocol was signed by Deputy Chief Negotiators, Shri Rajneesh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and Mr. Francis Chong, Senior Director, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Government of Singapore.

The signing of the Second Protocol, amending CECA, will boost bilateral trade between India and Singapore.TheCECA was the first comprehensive agreement covering trade in goods, services and investments, which India had signed with any of its trading partners. The CECA was signed on 29th June, 2005 and its first review was concluded on 1st October, 2007.

Signing of the Second Protocol formally brings to closure, the negotiations on second review of CECA, which began on 11th May, 2010. India and Singapore have successfully reached mutual understanding and agreement in closing the second review. Both sides agreed to expand the coverage of tariff concessions, liberalize the Rules of Origin, rationalize Product Specific Rules and include provisions on Certificate of Origin and Cooperation on its verification. These measures will further facilitate trade between India and Singapore and also improve utilization of CECA.

The Protocol amending CECA will give effect to the provisions agreed between India and Singapore during the closure of the Second Review of India Singapore CECA. The conclusion of the Second Review of CECA was announced during the State visit of the Prime Minister of India to Singapore on 1st June, 2018. The provisions of the Second Protocol will come into effect on 14th September, 2018.

The two countries are exploring the possibility of launching the 3rd Review of India-Singapore CECA in September, 2018.

Singapore is the second largest trading partner of India within ASEAN and India is the largest trading partner of Singapore in South Asia, with a bilateral trade of USD 17.7 billion in 2017-18. Singapore’s trade with India constitutes about 21.8% of our total trade with ASEAN and 2.3% of our global trade. India had a trade surplus of USD 2.73 billion with Singapore in 2017-18.

***

The Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Shri Rajneesh and the Deputy Chief Negotiator of Singapore, Mr. Francis Chong signed the Second Protocol amendment in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CECA) between India and Singapore, in New Delhi on August 24, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

03-October, 2018 18:57 IST
Second Protocol amending the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between India and Singapore

Its ex-post facto approval to the Second Protocol amending the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between India and Singapore. The CECA was signed on 24th August 2018.

Benefits:

Signing of the Second Protocol will enhance bilateral trade and will deepen the Economic Cooperation between India and Singapore. It will also improve utilization of CECA.

******

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
09-November, 2018 15:27 IST
Bilateral Exercise Between Indian & Republic of Singapore Navies – SIMBEX 18 - marks Silver Jubilee this Year

The 25th edition of SIMBEX, an acronym for “Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise” is scheduled from 10th to 21st November 2018 off Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. Bilateral cooperation between Singapore and India was first formalised when RSN ships began training with the Indian Navy in 1994. What began as a modest endeavour to exchange best practices in the field of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), has in the recent years evolved into a complex high stakes exercise with both nations attaching premium in terms of time, complex advanced exercises and type of platforms involved.

Complementing India’s ‘Act-East’ policy, there have been a number of agreements and high level visits in the recent past between the two countries. Indo-Singapore bilateral relations have been on an upswing in the recent past. Both countries have a full calendar of more than 20 bilateral mechanisms, dialogues and exercises, many of which take place annually. In November 2015, the robust relationship between the two countries was elevated to ‘Strategic Partnership’.

In June this year, on the side-lines of the Shangrila Dialogue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore inked many agreements including those under the ‘Defence and Strategic Partnership Sectors’. Key among them is the ‘Implementation Agreement between Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy concerning Mutual Coordination, Logistics and Services Support for Naval Ships’, Submarines and Naval Aircraft (including Ship borne Aviation Assets) visits. The Implementation Agreement since coming in force has facilitated deployment of naval assets from bases of the other through logistics and services support.

Both sides agreed to undertake continuous and institutionalised naval engagements in their shared maritime space including establishing maritime exercises with like-minded regional / ASEAN partners. On the occasion, the Prime Ministers of both countries had commended the Armed Forces for maintaining a high level of annual exercises, goodwill visits and professional exchanges. Both Prime Ministers also remarked that they looked forward to the 25th and enhanced edition of bilateral annual naval exercises SIMBEX. The previous edition of the exercise was held off Singapore in the South China Sea in May 2017.

The 2018 edition marks the Silver Jubilee of SIMBEX. To mark the historical occasion, both navies are undertaking exercises over an extended geography. This year, the Indian Navy is being represented by the Ranvir class destroyer – INS Ranvijay, two Project 17 multirole stealth frigates – INS Satpura and INS Sahyadri, the Project 28 ASW corvette - INS Kadmatt the Project 25A missile corvettes, INS Kirch, the OPVs INS Sumedha and INS Sukanya, the Fleet Support Ship, INS Shakti, a Sindhughosh Class submarine, INS Sindhukirti, the P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol and ASW aircraft from INAS 312, Dornier 228 Maritime Patrol aircraft from INAS 311, Mk 132 Hawk AJTs from INAS 551 and integral helicopters such as the UH3H, Seaking 42 B, Seaking 42C and Chetak utility helicopters.

The Republic of Singapore Navy is being represented by two Formidable Class stealth frigates - RSS Formidable and RSS Steadfast, one Littoral Mission Vessel - RSS Unity, two Missile Corvettes, RSS Vigour and RSS Valiant, an Archer class Submarine, RSS Swordsman, ‘Swift Rescue’ a Deep Sea Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), a Fokker F50 maritime reconnaissance aircraft, embarked S70B helicopters and Scan Eagle unmanned aerial systems. Indian Navy has recently inducted its own DSRV and proved the capability at sea on the western seaboard.

The sea phase of this year’s edition is being conducted under the Command of Rear Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, NM, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, who will take on the mantle of the Commander Task Group. The Deputy Commander Task Group from Singapore Navy will be SLTC Ho Jee Kien, CO 188 Missile Corvette Squadron for Sea Phase 1 and Col Lim Yu Chuan, CO 185 Formidable Class Frigate Squadron for Second Sea Phase.

SIMBEX 2018 will be the largest edition since 1994 in terms of scale and complexity. The initial harbour phase will be held at Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands from 10 to 12 November followed by Sea Phase from 12 to 16 November in the Andaman Sea. The second harbour phase from 16 to 19 November will be held at Visakhapatnam – ‘the City of Destiny’. Silver Jubilee Commemoration Ceremony, various professional and training interactions, 10 Km ‘Friendship Run’ during the Annual Vizag-Navy Marathon, social evening and joint cultural programmes would be held during the harbour phases to commemorate the 25th anniversary. The final sea phase would be held in the Bay of Bengal from 19 to 21 November. High level delegations including respective Defence Ministries are also scheduled to observe the exercises including advanced weapon firings marking a new high in the series.

The 25th edition will witness a diverse range of exercises at sea ranging from live weapon drills including multiple missile firings, Heavy Weight Torpedo (HWT) and Medium Range Gun/ Anti Submarine Rocket firings; advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercises, Submarine Rescue demonstrations; integrated Surface and Anti-Air Warfare (AAW); Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations and Cross Deck Helicopter flying among others. The number of missiles and torpedo firings being undertaken are in fact unprecedented and perhaps the largest the Indian Navy has undertaken with any foreign Navy till date, indicative of the growing trust and operational comfort between the two navies. This year would also witness the highest numbers and variety of platforms fielded by both sides. Over the years the two navies have increased their interoperability to a level that could be matched by few other navies.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
10-November, 2018 19:09 IST
SIMBEX-18 kicks off at port Blair

There are only a few militaries that can boast of continuity and cooperation in the field of maritime combat drills like the navies of India and Singapore and that too sustained for 25 years. When the frontline ships of the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy and those of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) made their entry into the azure waters of Port Blair in the pristine Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 10 November 2018, it was a treat for the on lookers. The ships arrived at Port Blair for the commencement of the 25th edition of the SIMBEX - Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise. Started as Basic ASW exercises in 1994, today these exercises have graduated to complex maritime combat drills including missile and torpedo firings and shore based intensive professional exchanges.

Home to India’s only Tri-Services Command, the crew of the participating warships and the Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft and integral helicopters, would go through the last minute exercise coordination details with a fine comb at Port Blair. During the harbour phase, in addition to operational conferences towards preparation of the sea phase of the exercises in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal, courtesy calls by both sides on the Senior Officers are also scheduled.

In addition, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges or SMEE as they are commonly known by militaries worldwide are also scheduled. The SMEEs, have over the years provided a platform to formally exchange best practices of respective navies so that learning and improvement never ceases. Cross deck visits by air crew towards deck familiarisation are also planned.

Over the next two days, Port Blair is playing host to Indian Naval Ships Ranvijay, Satpura, Sahyadri, Shakti, Kirch, Kadmatt, Sumedha and Sukanya along with the RSN Ships, Formidable, Steadfast, Unity, Valiant and Vigour. Maritime Patrol Aircraft of both countries – the versatile P8I of the Indian Navy and Fokker F50 from Singapore would also be based out of Port Blair. Local Flotilla ships based at Port Blair would be ensuring seafront security including in the exercise areas towards smooth conduct of the exercise.

Also participating in the exercises are RSS Swordsman, an Archer Class submarine and Swift Rescue, a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). While the Indian Navy recently inducted a DSRV on the western seaboard and is slated to induct another on its eastern seaboard, it continues to exercise with various navies and assimilate best practices as well as enhance interoperability.

The exercises at sea this year are unprecedented and largest of kind in terms of the complexity and weapon firings. The sea phase would be held under Commander Task Group of Joint Forces of SIMBEX-18, Rear Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. Senior Lieutenant Colonel Ho Jee Kien, Commanding Officer of 188 Missile Corvette Squadron would be leading the Republic of Singapore Navy during the first sea phase and would also be the Deputy Task Group Commander.



DKS/CGR/AC

 

[Hindustani78]

A Singapore Navy vessel docked at Port Blair for Simbex 18, the Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise. Photo: Twitter/@indiannavy


Missile and torpedo firings to be part of this year’s bilateral naval exercise.

The 25th edition of the India-Singapore bilateral naval exercise, SIMBEX, has begun at the tri-services command in Port Blair.

The exercise, which kicked off on Saturday off the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, will conclude on November 21.

“Started as basic Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercises in 1994, today these exercises have graduated to complex maritime combat drills, including missile and torpedo firings, and shore-based intensive professional exchanges,” the Navy said in a statement.

12 ships to join drills
Seven ships from the Indian Navy and five ships from the Singapore Navy along with an Archer class submarine and a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle will take part in the exercise.

Maritime patrol aircraft of both countries, P8I of Indian Navy and Fokker F50 from Singapore, will also take part.

The number of missiles and torpedo firings being undertaken are in fact unprecedented and perhaps the largest the Indian Navy has undertaken with any foreign Navy till date, the Navy added.

Logistical support
The two countries have vastly expanded their military cooperation in recent years under India’s Act East policy. Late last year, the two countries signed a naval agreement which has a provision for mutual logistical support and gives India access to the Changi naval base.

India and Singapore are working on a trilateral exercise with an Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) country, likely Thailand, and eventually plan to scale it up to a multilateral format.

 

[Hindustani78]

Prime Minister's Office
13-November, 2018 17:40 IST
PM's Statement prior to his departure to Singapore

Following is the text of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's departure statement prior to his visit to Singapore.

“I will be visiting Singapore on 14-15 November, to participate in the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits. In addition, I would also participate in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Leaders' Meeting.

My participation in these meetings symbolizes our continued commitment to strengthening our engagement with ASEAN Member States and with the wider Indo-Pacific region. I am looking forward to my interactions with other ASEAN and East Asia Summit Leaders.

On 14 November, I will have the honour to be the first Head of Government to deliver the Keynote Address at the Singapore Fintech Festival. As the world's largest event on financial technology, the Festival is the right forum not only to showcase India's strengths in this fast-growing sector, but also to forge global partnerships for fostering innovation and growth.

During my visit, I will also have the opportunity to interact with the participants and winners of the joint India-Singapore Hackathon. It is my firm belief that if we provide the right encouragement and a nurturing ecosystem, our youth has the ability to become global leaders in providing solutions to the challenges facing humanity.

I am confident that my visit to Singapore will impart fresh momentum to our growing partnership with ASEAN and East Asia Summit nations.

As I depart for Singapore, I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to Singapore for their able Chairmanship of ASEAN this year, and convey my best wishes for all success in hosting ASEAN and related Summits”.



***

AKT/KP

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
16-November, 2018 21:00 IST
SIMBEX-2018 – 25 Glorious Years and Counting

After an intense sea phase of SIMBEX, Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal, ships of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) arrived Visakhapatnam on 16 November. In what could be termed an unprecedented level of interoperability between the two navies – ships, submarines and aircraft of India and Singapore - undertook multi-dimensional exercises at sea with perhaps very high degree of complexity. After the initial harbour phase at Port Blair, the exercises witnessed action at sea and have now shifted gears to the second harbour phase at Visakhapatnam which is home to the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Indian Navy.

Few in 1994 would have predicted that the maiden basic Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises that were held that year between navies of India and Singapore would transform into one of the most high level maritime exercises in the years to come and sustain itself for quarter of a century – a milestone like no other. SIMBEX marked its 25th anniversary and is currently underway. This year, the exercises are being conducted in four phases, two each in harbour at Port Blair and Visakhapatnam and two sea phases in the Bay of Bengal.

Phase 1 of the 25th edition of SIMBEX has already witnessed over a dozen ships and submarines and a never seen before number of weapon firings at sea. The action now shifts to the harbour activities at Visakhapatnam before they kick off the intensive Second Phase of the exercise. In addition to the number of Operational Conferences towards planning and preparing for the final sea phase scheduled from 19 to 21 November, friendly Volleyball and Basketball matches would also be played between the two navies. The highlight of the sporting activity is the participation of personnel from RSN in the Vizag-Navy Marathon on 18 November off RK Beach. It is a signature event in the state of Andhra Pradesh and Visakhapatnam’s largest community event with participants from armed forces, corporate sector, government sector, educational institutions including international participants. The event attracts a large scale tourist population for participation from various states and countries. Personnel from the RSN would be participating in the 10K Friendship Run. Personnel from Singapore Navy also savoured the local culture and cuisine during their stay at Visakhapatnam.

To mark the historic Silver Jubilee of SIMBEX, Naval Chiefs from both the participating countries would also be in Visakhapatnam. Admiral Sunil Lanba, the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy would host Rear Admiral Lew Chuen Hong, the Chief of Navy of the RSN at the SIMBEX Silver Jubilee Dinner on 18 November.

On 19 November, the Silver Jubilee Commemoration Ceremony would be held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. In a symbol of growing trust and comfort levels between the two navies, the event will witness unveiling of the SIMBEX logo, and release of commemorative Indian Special Postage Cover and Singaporean Postage Stamp. The simultaneous release of Postal Cover and Stamp by Indian and Singaporean Postal department respectively also highlights the significance of this historic occasion between the two nations. Earlier, in June this year, the Prime Ministers of both – India and Singapore, on the sidelines of the Shangri La Dialogue held at Singapore had remarked that they looked forward to the 25th and enhanced edition of bilateral annual naval exercise SIMBEX.

The high intensity final sea phase of the exercises is scheduled to commence on 19 November and will be marked by the presence of Defence Ministers of both India and Singapore. This in fact would be the first such occasion, when such high level ministerial level presence from both countries would take place at sea.

***

DKS/AC

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
19-November, 2018 17:07 IST
Silver Jubilee Commemoration Ceremony of SIMBEX- 2018

Silver Jubilee Commemoration Ceremony to mark the 25th edition of SIMBEX, “Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise” was held onboard INS Sahyadri at Visakhapatnam today, 19 November 18. The Ceremony was attended by Adm Sunil Lanba, the Chief of Naval Staff and Rear Adm Lew Chuen Hong, Chief of Navy Republic of Singapore, Vice Adm Karambir Singh FOC-in-C ENC, Flag Officers, Commanding Officers and personnel from participating ships.

Rear Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet welcomed the Guests to the historic occasion to commemorate the 25th edition of the bilateral exercise between the two navies of India and Republic of Singapore. Speaking on the occasion, Adm Sunil Lanba highlighted that SIMBEX is the longest un-interrupted bilateral maritime exercise that India has had with any navy. The importance of this achievement was also flagged by the Hon’ble Prime Minister at the Shangri La Dialogue in June this year. He also reiterated that naval cooperation through SIMBEX underscores the shared commitment of both nations to security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the global commons. The 25th edition of SIMBEX is the largest in terms of complexity, weapon firings and maritime geography. He concluded by reminding the audience the motto of the Republic of Singapore Navy ‘Beyond Horizon’ while that of the Indian Navy ‘Sam No Varunah’ which translates to ‘May the Ocean Gods be Auspicious Unto Us’. As the Silver Jubilee of the maritime bilateral exercises progress, he wished SIMBEX to go Beyond Horizons and in the process, let the ocean gods be auspicious unto both the navies.

Addressing the gathering, Adm Lew Chuen Hong, Chief of Navy Republic of Singapore Navy referred to the historic maritime links through maritime trade of both countries dating back to 3rd and 4th century. He brought out that Singapore and India are like minded countries that share similar outlook towards preserving freedom of sea following rules and norms laid down in UNCLOS. He highlighted the special relations that both navies have through substantive interactions. Corner stone for Navy-Navy relations is SIMBEX which stated as a basic anti-submarine exercise in 1994 as ‘Lion King’ has grown from strength to strength. The 25th edition of SIMBEX is the largest ever participation by the Singapore Navy in any bilateral exercise.

To mark the historic occasion and as a symbol of growing trust and comfort levels between the two navies, a special Logo was also released. The occasion was also utilised to simultaneous release Special Postal Cover and Singaporean Postage Stamp on SIMBEX.

DKS/AC