Always on a move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in Singapore, the third and last leg of his three-nation tour to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. In a prime move for his 'Look East' policy, Modi called upon the nations to boost bilateral relations, with the focus on defence, maritime security and strategic access to ports. All the three countries are key strategic partners for India and the high-yielding bilateral agreements with Indonesia only signal that India is keen to engage with them, while maintaining the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) centrality intact.
INDONESIA
PM Modi arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia on May 29, for his first-ever official visit to Indonesia. He met President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace, one of the presidential palaces in Indonesia. Taking their bilateral relationship into a new era, both India and Indonesia signed 15 agreements, agreed to establish a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, condemned terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terror, and to open an inter-faith dialogue in a bid to eradicate radicalism and violent extremism.
In Modi's first visit to the country with the biggest Muslim population in the world, a joint statement was issued after delegation-level talks said that inter-faith dialogue was a reflection of the united commitment of both the countries to explore a new understanding on the rise of religious identities, the dynamic of pluralism and to eradicate radicalism, terrorism, and violent extremism.
Both, Modi and Widodo agreed to organise an inter-faith dialogue in Indonesia in October this year, which will be followed by a similar dialogue next year. They also acknowledged the need to maintain maritime safety and security for peace, stability and sustainable economic growth and development in the maritime waters of the Indo-Pacific region as enshrined in the UN Convention on Law of the Sea (Unclos) and relevant international laws.
They welcomed the elevation of the bilateral relationship between the two countries to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and creation of new mechanisms like bilateral security dialogue, signing of an enhanced defence cooperation agreement and frame agreement on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes.
Plan to develop strategic Indian Ocean port
Both the countries pledged to step up defence and maritime cooperation, with plans to develop a strategic Indonesian naval port in the Indian Ocean. Speakign at a news conference after the meeting, Widodo said, “India is a strategic defence partner... and we will continue to advance our cooperation in developing infrastructure, including at Sabang Island and the Andaman Islands.” Analysts said the move comes amid concerns over China's rising maritime influence in the region, and is part of Modi's 'Act East' policy of developing stronger ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “The India-ASEAN partnership can be a force to guarantee peace and progress in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,” Modi said in a statement read in Hindi.
There has been a lot of tension in Southeast Asia over the disputed South China Sea, a busy waterway claimed in most part by China.
A 30- day free visa for Indonesian citizens
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 30-day free visa for Indonesian citizens during his visit and invited the Indian community to travel to their country of origin to experience the “new India”. Addressing a gathering of the Indian diaspora at the Jakarta Convention Centre in the Indonesian capital, Modi said, “Not only do the names of our nations rhyme but also there is a distinct rhythm in the India-Indonesia friendship. We will grant free of cost visa for Indonesian citizens for travel of up to 30 days. Many of you may never have been to India. I invite you all to come to India for the Kumbh in Prayag (Allahabad) next year.” The Kumbh mela is a mega event that is conducted each year along the bank of the Ganges.
He requested the Indian community in Indonesia to make a habit of visiting their country of origin with friends and experience how India has been changing. Taking a dig at the previous governments, he said his government's first priority was to make India corruption free, citizen-centric and development friendly. “Our government, has been preparing India according to the need and expectations of the 21st century. We have gone a step ahead of ease of doing business. Our focus is ease of living. Our processes are transparent and sensitive. We have to make a new India. We have to start working to realise the dream of new India by 2022, when India will celebrate 75 years of her Independence,” he said.
He said over 9000 start ups have been registered in India, adding that the world's second largest start-up ecosystem is built in India. “And my friends living in Indonesia, these are happening, laws are the same, officers are the same, officers are the same, tables and chairs are the same, only the government has changed and the country is changing,” Modi said.
MALAYSIA
Next on the agenda was Malaysia. Modi called on Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad in Putrajaya. Modi, who arrived there on the second leg of his three-nation tour, congratulated 92 year Mahathir, who became the world's oldest elected leader when his opposition alliance registered a stunning victory over the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which had ruled Malaysia since 1957. Mahathir was sworn in as Malaysia's prime minister on May 10.
Modi tweeted, “Glad to have met Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. I thank him for the warm welcome. We had productive discussions on further cementing India-Malaysia ties.” Both leaders discussed ways to boost economic and cultural relations between India and Malaysia. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the two leaders had a productive exchange of views on strengthening the strategic partnership. Both the countries have close ties with culture and history as well as in various key areas, particularly infrastructure development, education, tourism, and defence.
Modi also met Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her husband Anwar Ibrahim, the de facto leader of Pakatan Harapan, at the Bunga Raya Complex at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The meeting lasted for about 30 minutes, and later they posed for a photograph with several staff members of the Indian High Commission in Malaysia.
SINGAPORE
Modi visited the India-Singapore enterprise and innovation exhibition on May 31, and later addressed a business and community event, followed by a round-table meeting with select top CEOs of Singapore to discuss business and investment opportunities. He called on Singapore President Halimah Yacob on June 1, and held delegation level talks with counterpart Lee Hsien Loong. Later in the evening, he delivered the keynote address at Shangri-La Dialogue.
In the speech, he expressed India's eagerness to make 'Indo-Pacific' as the defining factor for new security architecture in Asia, while describing the new geography of Indo-Pacific as a “natural region” ranging “from the shores of Africa to that of the Americas.” Modi also insisted that a “stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific Region” is an “important pillar” of India's strategic partnership with the United States.
Modi launches three Indian payment apps
PM Modi launched three Indian mobile payment apps in Singapore at a business event aimed at globalisation of the country's digital payment platforms. Present at the 'Business, Innovation and Community Event', where digital platform was the focus, Modi launched three digital payment schemes, including the international debut of Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM), RuPay and a new app-based rupee remittance mode of the State Bank of India's Singapore branch. The launch marks the collaboration of the two countries through a cross-border digital payment system.
The RuPay digital payments system is linked to Singapore's 33 year old Network for Electronic Transfers (NETS). RuPay users will be able to make payments at all NETS acceptance points across Singapore. Users of Singapore NETS will be able to make online purchases on the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) e-commerce merchant website, using 2.8 million RuPay point-of-sale terminals in India.
