Barack Obama to host Singapore PM for State Dinner in August

Washington, Jun 2: US President Barack Obama will host Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the White House for an official visit and State Dinner on August 2 to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, his press secretary has said.

"The two leaders will celebrate the bilateral relationship between Singapore and the United States that has served as an anchor for the US rebalance to Asia," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement yesterday.

Marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the two leaders will highlight the enduring principles that have inspired the "tremendous growth in US-Singapore cooperation, which has attracted more than 3,500 US companies to establish a presence in Singapore, forged strong security ties between our militaries, and led to increased exchanges of college students", he said.

"As partners in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, the Counter-ISIL coalition, and the Paris Climate agreement, the two leaders will discuss how our relationship can continue to address international challenges and advance a rules-based order for the Asia-Pacific," Earnest said.

Beginning with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2009, Obama has so far hosted 11 State Dinners, the last one being with Nordic countries early this month.

PTI