India , Singapore to set up joint ministerial group to expand mutual cooperation

19 June 2007

Mumbai: India and Singapore have decided to set up a joint ministerial committee to give further fillip to their bilateral ties, especially in the areas of trade and economy.

The joint ministerial committee will monitor the progress of cooperation between the two countries in various fields and look into the maturity, depth and range of the rapidly developing bilateral ties, Mukherjee said after a joint press conference with his Singaporean counterpart.

Describing the agreement as a "landmark" treaty, Yeo noted that it was the first time the two countries had set up a regular forum at ministerial level to discuss and look into the growing bilateral cooperation.

The two countries are also extending mutual cooperation in defence, Mukherjee said, adding the two countries are proceeding well with joint exercises.

The two sides also announced the setting up of a Nalanda University Mentor Group to work out the modalities to restore the ancient seat of learning in Bihar.

Singapore is helping to restore the legacy of this great seat of learning by creating the International University at Nalanda on Buddhist religion.