What Does Lawrence Wong's Election Victory Mean for India-Singapore Relations?
Modi Congratulates Wong on Election Win
New Delhi: On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his warm congratulations to Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong following the People's Action Party's (PAP) significant victory in the recent general elections, marking their 14th consecutive term in office.
PM Modi took to the social media platform X to highlight the strong partnership between India and Singapore.
In his message, he stated: "Heartiest congratulations, Lawrence Wong, on your resounding victory in the general elections. India and Singapore share a strong and multifaceted partnership, underpinned by close people-to-people ties. I look forward to continuing to work closely with you to further advance our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."
The PAP notably enhanced its performance compared to the last election, securing 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats and increasing its vote share to 65.6%, up from 61.2% in 2020.
Lawrence Wong, who has taken over as Prime Minister from Lee Hsien Loong, expressed gratitude to voters for their overwhelming support.
In a post on X, Wong remarked: "Singaporeans have given the @PAPSingapore a clear and strong mandate to govern. I am humbled by and grateful for the faith you have placed in me and my team."
The relationship between India and Singapore has a rich history and was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during PM Modi's visit to Singapore in September 2024. This partnership encompasses various sectors, including trade, defense, digital innovation, and education, built on mutual trust and shared values.
Since 2014, PM Modi has visited Singapore five times, underscoring the significance India places on its relationship with the island nation. His visits have included bilateral discussions, multilateral summits, and major public events.
Notably, he was the first Indian Prime Minister to deliver a keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2018 and the first Head of Government to speak at the Singapore FinTech Festival in November 2018.