Toast Speech by PM Lee Hsien Loong at Official Lunch hosted in honour of Indian PM Narendra Modi

Your Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. May I offer a warm welcome to Prime Minister Modi and delegation to Singapore. PM Modi last visited in 2015, when we signed the Strategic Partnership to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations. He had a full visit programme on that occasion but we managed to squeeze some time for supper at Komala Vilas in Little India. Because of PM Modi’s visit, that particular Komala Vilas outlet, which was already very popular, now has an even longer queue.

I am happy to host PM Modi once again to reciprocate his warm hospitality on the many occasions when I visited New Delhi. Most recently, I was there for the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit, which was held concurrently with India’s Republic Day celebration. I was honoured to attend the Parade as Chief Guest, and to witness an impressive ceremony. 

India is a longstanding and cherished friend of Singapore. Our ties go back several centuries. India has left a strong imprint on our multi-cultural tapestry. The Malay name for Singapore, Singapura, is derived from Sanskrit, meaning Lion City. In my own constituency, there is a road called Tagore Avenue which is named after Rabindranath Tagore, who was the composer of India’s national anthem and a great poet. He visited Singapore in the 1920s

Tomorrow, PM Modi will be visiting the Sri Mariamman Temple on South Bridge Road. The founder of the Temple, Mr Naraina Pillai, was one of the first Tamils to set foot on Singapore island. He arrived with Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819 on the ship ‘Indiana’. Mr Pillai became a prominent Indian community and business leader. He set up Singapore’s first brick kiln and was our first building contractor.

Besides the Sri Mariamman Temple, PM Modi will also be visiting the Jamae Chulia Mosque and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. All three places of worship stand side by side peacefully, in the heart of Chinatown. Sri Mariamman Temple and Jamae Chulia Mosque are focal points for the large number of Tamil Hindu and Tamil Muslim Singaporeans who live here. They reflect Singapore’s multiculturalism and diversity, something which we share with India, as well as the harmonious coexistence of different religious communities, which both our countries desire.

PM Modi will also be unveiling a plaque tomorrow on our waterfront to commemorate the immersion of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes off Clifford Pier in 1948. Gandhi’s vision of nationhood resonated around the world, particularly in the colonial territories, including Singapore. Therefore, when Gandhi died, in response to the request of Indian community leaders here, Mr J A Thivy, an Indian government official based in Singapore, asked the Indian government if we could also receive some of the ashes. The Indian government obliged and when the ashes arrived, there was an outpouring of tributes from Singaporeans of all races and religions.

I am very glad that succeeding generations have built on our deep linkages, and over the years, we have taken the relationship to an even higher level. Our Strategic Partnership framework has allowed both sides to broaden and deepen our bilateral ties. As evidenced by the many MOUs and agreements we have signed both Government-to-Government, as well as between our businesses and institutions.

I am very grateful that PM Modi has given his personal attention and strong support to enhancing bilateral cooperation. I wish him a fruitful visit and look forward to both sides continuing to work together in practical ways, to build a more prosperous future for our two countries and the region.

PM Modi, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, may I now invite you to join me in a toast to the good health and success of Prime Minister Modi and his delegation and the enduring partnership between India and Singapore. 

Thank you.