India eager to boost trade, defence ties with Singapore

Seeking to further enhance trade ties, India on Tuesday said it looked forward to the early conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with Singapore.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his Singapore counterpart K Shanmugam discussed strengthening bilateral ties, particularly trade and defence relations, at the Second India-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee Meeting in New Delhi.

"We look forward to an early conclusion of the 2nd review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, which has emerged as a cornerstone of our bilateral economic relationship since its signing in 2005," Krishna told reporters after the meeting.

Both sides expressed the common desire to seek new areas of cooperation that would take the partnership to an even higher level, he said.

Krishna recalled Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's recent visit to Singapore and said that he looked forward to the visit of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong here in July.

Krishna and Shanmugam also discussed cooperation in the areas of science and technology, education including skills development and training and culture. In the field of skills education and training, the two sides said potential exists for mutually beneficial cooperation.

"Our Ministry of Labour and Singapore Ministry of Education have had detailed discussions on specific areas of cooperation," Krishna said.