Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and the Government of Assam, aimed at improving urban planning and management in Guwahati. The MoU, signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Singapore, is expected to bring in best practices from Singapore for the city’s development.
In a post on X, Sarma expressed his appreciation for the partnership, stating, “India-Singapore partnership to herald a new developmental dawn. During Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji’s recent visit to Singapore, the joint statement, issued along with Hon’ble Prime Minister of Singapore HE Lawrence Wong, appreciated the MoU between Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and Govt of Assam in urban planning and management.” He further added, “This MoU will enable better urban planning and management of Guwahati, leveraging the best practices from Singapore. It is truly a partnership of the future.”
In response, the High Commission of Singapore thanked the Assam CM for his encouragement. “Singapore gives thanks to Hon. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for his kind encouragement. Assam is Singapore’s key hub of engagement for the North East. We will certainly do much more,” read a post from the High Commission.
The MoU was signed as part of the broader India-Singapore cooperation during Prime Minister Modi’s visit. The two nations also discussed the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace, security, and freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
PM Modi and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong reiterated the importance of UNCLOS as the framework for all activities in maritime zones, including determining maritime entitlements, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. Both leaders expressed hope for the early conclusion of a substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, in line with international law, ensuring that the legitimate rights and interests of all nations are protected.