PM Modi meets Singapore President

President Tony Tan Keng Yam is presently in the national capital to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam, who is presently in the national capital to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, on Monday.

"India-Singapore ties expanding in all directions. PM @narendramodi meets Prez Tony Tan Keng Yam," tweeted MEA official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

"Indian envoys to focus today on interface of Digital communications and Diplomacy. #D4D," he added.

"India-Singapore discuss an agenda of development. Skill development, connectivity in North East India primary focus," he said in a series of tweets.

Earlier, the visiting President was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here. He was welcomed by President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Modi.

"A welcome that befits a President. India ceremonially welcomes President Tony Tan Keng Yam of Singapore," Akbaruddin tweeted.

Yam walked along a red carpet and stood under a red canvas as a military band played the Singapore and Indian national anthems.

After brief pleasantries, Yam took the salute and inspected the guard of honour.

President Yam, who is accompanied by his wife Mary Tan, will also inaugurate an exhibition at the national museum in New Delhi.

The close relationship shared by India and Singapore is based on convergence of economic and political interests.

Singapore is one of India's major trade and investment partners, with bilateral trade for the financial year 2013-14 standing at $19.27 billion.

The year 2015 marks 50 years of the establishment of India-Singapore diplomatic relations.