Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, accompanied by his wife, laid a wreath at Rajghat on Thursday to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi during his maiden state visit to India. The visit marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and Singapore.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted the significance of the event, saying in a post on X, “President Tharman Shanmugaratnam of Singapore paid his tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat this morning. Bapu’s ideals and teachings continue to inspire us all.”
President Shanmugaratnam was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan by Indian President Droupadi Murmu, as stated by the Rashtrapati Bhavan in an official statement. Singapore’s High Commissioner Simon Wong described the event as a “resplendent welcome ceremony” and noted that Singaporeans across India gathered to greet the President.
In a post on X, the MEA said, “Welcoming a close partner! President Tharman Shanmugaratnam of Singapore receives a ceremonial welcome & Guard of Honour on his maiden State Visit to India. President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi warmly greeted President Tharman at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.”
As part of his engagements, President Shanmugaratnam met BJP National President and Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Thursday under the “Know BJP” initiative. Earlier on Wednesday, he held discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on enhancing cooperation in semiconductors, industrial parks, skilling, digitalization, and trade development.
Jaishankar shared insights from their meeting in a post on X, saying, “Delighted to call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam of Singapore today. Discussed our cooperation in semiconductors, industrial parks, skilling, digitalisation and trade development. As we celebrate 60 years of bilateral relations, confident that his State visit will add new momentum to our comprehensive strategic partnership.”
(Inputs from ANI)