India, Singapore sign agreement on bilateral coop

Singapore, June 19: India and Singapore today signed an agreement for the establishment of a joint ministerial committee on bilateral cooperation.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Mr George Yeo signed the agreement, calling it a ''landmark pact'' for a regular forum.

Top officials from the two countries would hold regular brainstorming sessions and meetings on the progress of cooperation in many fields, including economic, defence and cultural sectors.

Mr Mukherjee said the input from the sessions would be used by the two countries' Foreign Ministers to monitor the cooperation progress, which has been strengthening and growing under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement between New Delhi and Singapore.

The two Ministers also disclosed that an informal strategic dialogue forum would be set up for the non-governmental officials of the two countries to discuss and explore a wide range of opportunities.

India and Singapore have also agreed to undertake research into the heritage of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, said Mr Mukherjee, who earlier in the day, launched the 12th and final volume of Netaji's works, "Chalo Delhi".

Mr Yeo told a joint press conference with Mr Mukherjee that they reviewed and discussed bilateral issues and concerns. This is Mr Mukherjee's first official visit to Singapore.

UNI