Defence Secretary calls on Singapore Defence Minister

Singapore, Oct 8 (UNI) India's Defence Secretary Vijay Singh today called on Singapore Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean.

Mr Singh, who is on a two-day introductory visit to Singapore, also co-chaired the 5th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue with Permanent Secretary (Defence) Chiang Chie Foo yesterday.

The Defence Policy Dialogue was established under the India-Singapore Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in October 2003.

The annual dialogue serves as a forum for Singapore and India to oversee and advance the bilateral defence relationship.

During yesterday's dialogue, both sides exchanged views on security issues of common concern and discussed defence cooperation, said a statement from Singapore Defence Ministry today.

Defence interactions between Singapore and India have grown in recent years. The two countries signed the bilateral agreement for the conduct of joint army training and exercises in India in August 2008, as well as the bilateral agreement for the conduct of joint military training and exercises in India between the Republic of Singapore Air Force and Indian Air Force in October 2007.

The Singapore Armed Forces and the Indian Armed Forces conduct bilateral land, sea and air exercises regularly.

Besides policy dialogues and military interactions, the two defence establishments also engage in defence technology cooperation.

While in Singapore, Mr Singh visited Tengah Air Base, Singapore Artillery and Changi Naval Base.

UNI XC MP BST0328