It was a working day in Singapore on Aug 15. But that did not deter a large number of Indian nationals from congregating at the Indian High Commission’s premises on Grange Road to celebrate their country’s Independence Day.
As is customary, the Indian flag was hoisted by the country’s high commissioner to Singapore, Mrs Vijay Thakur Singh.
After the Indian national anthem was sung, the high commissioner read out the Indian president’s address to his nation made on the eve of Independence Day.
In his address, he said that India is in the process of forging new relationships based on shared values and mutual benefit with all countries.
“We have reinvigorated our historic bonds of friendship with traditional partners of Africa and Asia Pacific,” he said.
“India will grow, only when all of India grows; the excluded ones have to be included in the development process.”
Students from the different Indian international schools in Singapore livened up the morning with their eye-catching cultural performances.
In addition to Indian nationals, many friends of India also turned up for the Independence Day celebration.
President, PM wish India
President Tony Tan Keng Yam had written to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, while Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had written to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to congratulate them on India’s 70th Independence Day.
Both leaders noted that the countries share strong long- standing ties set to grow with more bilateral collaborations.
“As our people-to-people relations flourish, I am delighted by the excellent progress in bilateral projects and initiatives on various fronts, including trade, skills development, defence co-operation, and Smart Cities development,” Dr Tan wrote in his letter to Mr Mukherjee.
“The India-Singapore Strategic Partnership, together with other bilateral agreements, will create new opportunities for collaboration and elevate the bilateral relationship to a higher level.”
PM Lee said in his letter to Mr Modi that Singapore and India share a longstanding friendship “underpinned by strong historical, commercial, cultural and kinship ties”, and expressed confidence that it will continue to grow.
“I look forward to meeting you again when I visit India in October to explore new avenues of co-operation,” Mr Lee added.
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