Going to India
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Joint army exercises next for S'pore, India
By Ravi Velloor
India Bureau Chief
In New Delhi
SINGAPORE and India will add joint army exercises and cooperation in defence and homeland security technology to a growing list of security-related contacts between the two countries.
The first joint army exercise would be held early next year in India, Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan said, wrapping up three days of talks with ministers for external affairs, defence, home, education and science on his first visit to New Delhi in 20 years.
While he did not identify the venue for the exercises or specify which arms of the force would take part, army exercises would complete the tri-service contacts between the two militaries, which include this week's joint air exercises in central India and a decade of naval contacts.
Dr Tan, who is also coordinating minister for defence and security, said naval cooperation could move from bilateral exercises to the joint hosting of multilateral exercises. India had also expressed interest in working with Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia to enhance security in the Straits of Malacca and the Singapore Straits.
'It's a welcome development. Singapore looks forward to working with our Indian counterparts in this area,' he told reporters after a meeting with Indian defence minister Pranab Mukherjee.
He said Malaysian Defence Minister Najib Razak shared his view that countries with significant stakes in the key waterways, such as the US and Japan, should also participate in ensuring their security.
A new area of cooperation between Singapore and India was the tentative agreement to jointly develop defence technologies as both armed forces modernise.
One possibility discussed was a joint research and development facility, possibly in electronics, where the work could be divided between defence laboratories in Singapore and India. Singapore does similar work with Sweden and France.
The two countries will also boost exchanges between intelligence and security agencies and facilitate exchanges in homeland security technology, such as the development of biometric passports.
Transnational terrorism figured repeatedly in the talks. India has much experience in tackling terrorism and Dr Tan said he learnt much from the Indian perspective.
The DPM's week-long visit, which will also include trips to Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mumbai, underscores the growing contacts between the two governments.
Describing India and Singapore as 'very good friends', Dr Tan said the country appeared to have reached the take-off stage with its thirst for capital and rising middle class.
'This is a very different India from the India we knew in the 80s,' he said.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sub/storyprintfriendly/0,5578,281693,00.html? -
R&R in India...
which unit going there??? -
Not that I'm assuming that S'pore soldiers are not security conscious but just a suggestion, don't even think of typing the information of which unit is going to india.Originally posted by Noeyessee:R&R in India...
which unit going there???
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Going India
Better don't take any Ah Neh airlines. Later all att C whole week... -
if they send me there, going to bring a case of medicated oil. and lots of charcoal pills..