Singapore’s former Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on Dec 9 drew a direct line between India and Singapore’s shared past, noting that even the name of the island nation carries the imprint of India’s ancient influence, reported India Today.
“The name Singapore or Singapura was derived from Sanskrit. This reflects India’s early influence in Southeast Asia. Until 1867, Singapore was administered from Calcutta,” Mr Teo said, while delivering the 5th Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture in New Delhi.
Mr Teo, who now serves as Chairman of Temasek, said the historic ties continue to inform a fast-evolving partnership that was elevated to a strategic level during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s last visit to Singapore.
He called the India-Singapore relationship deeply rooted, stressing the centuries-old movement of people, culture and trade between the two regions.
He also highlighted the Indian community’s important role in shaping modern Singapore.
“The Indian diaspora has constituted a significant share of Singapore’s migrant community, shaping our economy, culture and diverse social fabric that we treasure today,” Mr Teo said.
Mr Teo also met India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi.
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11 Dec 2025 16:33
