New Delhi (VNA) – The fifth India-Singapore Defence MinistersDialogue between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Singaporeancounterpart Ng Eng Hen was held via video conference on January 20.
Duringtheir virtual interaction, both the ministers expressed satisfaction at theprogress of defence cooperation engagements between the two countries despitelimitations imposed by ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Rajnath Singh hailed the effectiveness of pandemic mitigation measuresimplemented in Singapore and the Singapore Armed Forces’ contributions to restrictingthe spread of COVID-19, and assistance in the repatriation of stranded Indiancitizens overseas.
Ng Eng Hen, for his part, reciprocated the compliments and exchanged views onthe role of the Armed Forces in the whole of government's approach towardspandemic control.
Boththe ministers also expressed satisfaction at the growing bilateral defenceties. Both reviewed the progress of various bilateral defence cooperationinitiatives being pursued over the last year and expressed commitments tofurther elevating the scale of engagements between the Armed Forces as well asin areas of defence technology and industry.
Boththe ministers discussed new areas of potential cooperation and articulatedtheir vision in this direction.
Duringthe framework of the dialogue, the ministers witnessed the signing of theImplementing Agreement on Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation between theIndian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy./.