SENIOR JOURNALIST.INTERNATIONAL DESK.
Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Saturday said India is emerging as a major pole in the world economy. He said his country is trying to contribute to the semiconductor ecosystem and air connectivity sector.
Briefing the media at the end of his two-day visit to Odisha, he said, “India aspires to become a pole in its own right in a multipolar world, which is geopolitically correct, but it is also economically correct. India is emerging as a major pole of the global economy. India is a country we would like to cooperate with”. He said, “With its demographics, its own development processes and significant potential in its export economy, India is a country Singapore would likely cooperate with”.
President Shanmugaratnam said that ‘India and Singapore also have very similar priorities,’ he said, ‘As per the priorities established under the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable, both governments are working together to develop the semiconductor ecosystem in India. Singapore is looking at how it can contribute to the ecosystem and it is also looking at new generation industrial parks, particularly Sembcorp is very actively exploring potential sites for developing new industrial parks.’
President Shanmugaratnam said that both countries are also working very hard on skills development, which is a key factor in securing India’s future. ‘Since Singapore has some experience in this area, it wants to be a player in developing India’s skills ecosystem,’ he said. ‘Sustainability is a key priority for both countries. India is fortunate to have solar and wind energy and it is going to be a significant green ammonia producer,’ the President said. So, Singapore is keen to engage with India in developing these sectors and the green corridors leading to Southeast Asia, which may take more time but it is a very important aspiration.’
‘During my meetings with the leadership in India, we expressed our desire to extend the air services agreement, which was last revised about 10 years ago,’ he said. He said the extension of the air services agreement would benefit both countries and their economies.