Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to visit Indonesia, Singapore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a busy week ahead of himself. This is his latest schedule.

Narendra Modi will visit Indonesia and Singapore from May 29 to June 2 to give an impetus to India’s ‘Act East’ policy.

During the 5-day visit, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with leaders of both the nations on key issues, including the defence sector, a Ministry of External Affairs official said.

PM Modi is also likely to sign key agreements in various sectors with both the nations.

Briefing the media on Thursday, Preeti Saran, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry, said the PM would reach Indonesia on May 29 on the first leg of his tour. This would be his first official visit to Indonesia, a close maritime neighbour of India.

Modi will have meetings with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and other leaders on May 30-31. India and Indonesia are expected to sign an agreement on the renewal of defence cooperation, apart from accords in areas like science and technology.

The Indian leader is also expected to visit Hero National Cemetery, a Buddhist temple and other national monuments and interact with the Indonesian business community. He will also address a gathering of the Indian diaspora. Both India and Indonesia will unveil a logo marking 70 years of diplomatic ties.

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PM Modi will reach Singapore on the evening of May 31. In Singapore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 1, said Preeti Saran.

She said this is the first time that an Indian prime minister has been invited to deliver the keynote address.

Ms Saran said the Dialogue gives the Prime Minister an opportunity to articulate his thoughts about India’s policy on peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region, which she said will be the focus of his keynote address.

The Prime Minister is also likely to share his philosophy on ‘Sagarmala’ during the keynote address, she added.

This will be PM Modi’s second official visit to Singapore. He will also have bilateral talks with Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong and other leaders. 

Currently, the PM is in West Bengal with his Bangladesh counterpart Shiekh Hasina and will visit Jharkhand to lay the foundation of various projects.