India, Singapore agree on need for closer ties

Continuing its efforts to be a participant in the prosperous grouping of South-East Asian countries, India has called for an early conclusion of the Indo-ASEAN agreement on services and investment in order to facilitate the movement of professionals and flow of investments with the economic Nbloc.

In a meeting with Singaporean trade minister Lim Hng Kiang, commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma, currently on a visit to the ASEAN countries, stressed the need for concluding the agreement soon.

The Singaporean minister too underscored the need for finalising the agreement on services and investment between India and the ASEAN countries, an official release from New Delhi said. The India-ASEAN free trade agreement on agricultural and industrial goods has already been implemented since the beginning of this year.

Sharma, who is on the Singapore leg of his visit, discussed opportunities for investment in India's infrastructure development using Singapore's expertise in areas of water management, urban planning, and personnel skills.

He briefed Singaporean senior minister Goh Chok Tong on the progress of the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor and the areas where Singapore companies could bring in their expertise and investments.

Sharma also met Singaporean foreign minister George Yeo and discussed bilateral relations and issues related to India's engagement with ASEAN.