singapore and india - Institute of South Asian Studies

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S I N GA P O R E A N D I N D I A
TOWARDS A
SHARED FUTURE
PUBLISHER
Institute of South Asian Studies
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Ambassador Gopinath Pillai
Chairman, Institute of South Asian Studies
Professor Tan Tai Yong
Director, Institute of South Asian Studies
Executive Vice President (Academic Affairs), Yale-NUS College
Nominated Member of Parliament
Mr See Chak Mun
Senior Research Fellow, Institute of South Asian Studies
Mr Johnson Paul
Senior Associate Director, Institute of South Asian Studies
RESEARCH TEAM
See Chak Mun
Tan Li-Jen
Rahul Advani
Rinisha Dutt
DESIGN COSULTANCY
The Press Room
Creative Director
Kelley Cheng
Designers
Dexian Feng
Celestine Tan
PRINTER
Olympia Printing (Singapore)
—
©Institute of South Asian Studies 2015
First published in 2015 by Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS)
National University of Singapore, 29 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, #08/09-06 (Block B)
Singapore 119620
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission from
the publisher.
Reference No: A201411150006
Title: Singapore and India: Towards a Shared Future
National Library Board, Singapore Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
See, Chak Mun, 1941- author.
Singapore and India : towards a shared future / research team, See Chak
Mun, Tan Li-Jen, Rahul Advani, Rinisha Dutt. – Singapore : Institute of
South Asian Studies (ISAS), 2015
pages cm
ISBN : 978-981-09-3445-3 (hardcover)
1. Singapore – History. 2. India – History. 3. Singapore – Foreign relations –
India. 4. India – Foreign relations – Singapore. 5. Singapore – Foreign
economic relations – India. 6. India – Foreign economic relations –
Singapore. I. Title. II. Tan, Li-Jen, 1978- author. III. Advani, Rahul, 1990author. IV. Dutt, Rinisha, author.
DS610.45
327.5957054 -- dc23
OCN898197875
Prime Mi n i s te r L e e Hs i e n L o o n g a n d
Prime Mi n i s te r Na re n d ra Mo d i a t th e
ASEAN-In d i a s u mmi t o n 14 No ve mb e r
2014. ( S o u rce : L i a n h e Za o b a o ©
Singapor e Pre s s Ho l d i n g s L i mi te d .
Reproduc e d w i th p e rmi s s i o n . )
SIN
NG A PO
PPOR E A ND
ND IN
NDI
DII A : TOW
D
TOWA
O W A R D S A S H A RE
R ED
ED FUTURE
3
S IN
IN
FOREWORD
2015
m a rk s
50
y e a rs
of
b i l at eral
rel at i ons
b et ween
S i ngap ore
and
India.
This
c o m m e m o ra t i v e v o l u m e , S i n ga p or e a nd Ind i a : Towa rd s a S ha r ed Fut ur e, i s a t i mel y reminder of
t he s t ro n g a n d e n d u ri n g f ri e n d shi p b et ween our t wo count ri es.
T h e t i e s b e t w e e n S i n g ap ore and Ind i a, however, go b ack many cent uri es. Ear ly Indian
t r a d e rs e s t a b l i s h e d t ra d e n et work s i n S out heast A si a. In t he mod er n p eri od , under B r itish
c o l o n i a l ru l e , S i n g a p o re t h ri v ed as a p ort ci t y, i n no smal l p art d ue t o t he Ind i an diaspor a who
m a d e S i n g a p o re t h e i r h o m e .
S i n c e o u r i n d e p e n d e n ce i n 1965, t he t i es b et ween our t wo nat i ons have continued to
de e p e n . O u r s o c i a l , c u l t u ra l , rel i gi ous and f ami l i al l i nk s are const ant l y b ei ng reaffir med by
s uc h t h i n g s a s t h e s h a re d l o ve f or K ol l ywood and Bol l ywood f i l ms, or b y t he wor k of Indian
a r t i s a n s a n d s c u l p t o rs i n v i t e d here t o b ui l d and rest ore l ocal H i nd u t emp l es.
O v e r t h e l a s t t w o d e c ad es, Ind i a’s rel at i ons wi t h S i ngap ore as wel l as S ou theast Asia
ha v e t h ri v e d f o l l o w i n g I n d i a ’s “Look East ” p ol i cy i n 1991. Ind i a has b ecome a d i al ogue par tner
wit h A S E A N , a n d S i n g a p o re has consi st ent l y encouraged Ind i a t o b e act i vel y engaged in
t he re g i o n .
I n 2 0 0 5 , S i n g a p o re b ecame t he f i rst count ry t o si gn a C omp rehensi v e Economic
Co o p e ra t i o n A g re e m e n t ( C E CA ) wi t h Ind i a. Thi s was not onl y a mi l est one f or relations, but
ha s t ri p l e d b i l a t e ra l t ra d e b et ween our t wo count ri es. Tod ay, many Ind i an companies have
e s t a b l i s h e d re g i o n a l a n d g l o b al op erat i ons i n S i ngap ore. O ur comp ani es wi t h ex p ertise relevant
t o I n d i a ’s e c o n o m i c d e v e l o p ment , such as urb an sol ut i ons, wat er and wast e m anagement,
infra s t ru c t u re a n d p o rt d e v e l op ment , avi at i on and l ogi st i cs, are act i ve i n Ind i a.
A s w e c e l e b ra t e t h e f i rs t 50 years, S i ngap ore and Ind i a are al read y l ook i ng ahead to the
ne x t 5 0 , w i t h t h e c o m m i t m e n t t o el evat e rel at i ons t o a S t rat egi c P art nershi p i n 20 15.
I am confident that our two countries and peoples will continue to grow closer over the years.
Lee Hsien Loong
Prime Minister
I n d i a a n d S i n g a p o re a re cel eb rat i ng 50 years of t hei r d i p l omat i c rel at i ons with great
s a t is f a c t i o n o n t h e i r p a rt n e rs h i p over t he p ast f i ve d ecad es and wi t h op t i mi sm ab ou t its future.
O n t h e j o y o u s o c c a s i o n of t he f i f t i et h anni versary of i t s i nd ep end ence, S i ngapore can
t a ke g re a t p ri d e i n a re m a rk ab l e p rogress t hat has t ransf ormed t he l i ves of i t s people in a
g e ne ra t i o n ; a n d , t u r n e d S i n g ap ore i nt o a regi onal economi c p owerhouse and an influential
v o ic e i n g l o b a l a ff a i rs .
I n d i a a n d S i n g a p o re n o t onl y share age- ol d t i es of ci vi l i sat i on, cul t ure and commerce and
g o o d w i l l b e t w e e n o u r p e o p l e , b ut al so wi d e- rangi ng i nt erest s i n t he mod er n worl d . In addition,
S ing a p o re ’s v i b ra n t I n d i a n c o m muni t y has b een a very st rong b ri d ge of f ri end shi p between the
t wo c o u n t ri e s .
O v e r t h e p a s t 5 0 y e a rs , we have b ui l t a comp rehensi ve rel at i onshi p t hat has contr ibuted
t o pro s p e ri t y i n o u r t w o c o u n t ri es and st ab i l i t y and coop erat i on i n our regi on. S i ngapore has
e m e rg e d a s o n e o f t h e f o re m o st p art ners f or Ind i a’s economi c t ransf ormat i on and a spr ingboard
fo r I n d i a ’s d e e p e r p o l i t i c a l a n d economi c engagement wi t h S out heast A si a, whi ch is at the
he a rt o f I n d i a ’s A c t E a s t P o l i c y.
A n n i v e rs a ri e s a re o c c a s i ons not onl y t o l ook b ack , b ut al so, more i mp ort antly, to look
a he a d . I a m c o n f i d e n t t h a t o ur p art nershi p wi l l grow as we work more cl osel y than before
fo r t h e u n p re c e d e n t e d e c o n o mi c t ransf ormat i on t ak i ng p l ace i n Ind i a, a d eep er India-ASEAN
int e gra t i o n a n d a s t a b l e a n d p rosp erous A si a P aci f i c regi on.
T h e c o m m e m o ra t i v e v o l ume, S i nga p or e a nd Ind i a : Towa rd s a S ha r ed Fut u r e, on the
o c c a s i o n o f t h e 5 0 t h a n n i v e rsary of t he est ab l i shment of d i p l omat i c rel at i ons b etween India
a nd S i n g a p o re , i s a f i t t i n g t ri b ut e t o our ex t raord i nari l y f rui t f ul j our ney so f ar and an inspir ation
fo r t h e ro a d t h a t l i e s a h e a d .
New Delhi
13 January 2015
CONTENTS
Introduction
7
Chapter One — Historical Linkages
8
Colonial Rule
11
Builders of Early Singapore
16
Indian Communities in Singapore
22
World War II and the Stirrings of Indian Nationalism
32
Chapter Two — Diplomatic Relations
36
The Nehru Connection
38
Independent Singapore
44
India Looking East
55
Engaging the Indian States
76
Chapter Three — Economic and Trade Relations
90
Mild India Fever
92
Trade and Investment
99
Singapore Companies in India
103
Indian Companies in Singapore
124
Chapter Four — Cultural Linkages
138
Little India
140
The Indian Heritage Centre
147
Indian Cinema in Singapore
149
Indian Arts in Singapore
156
Food
158
Chapter Five — New Communities and Connections
162
Professionals in Singapore
164
Travel and Tourism
171
Education
178
Prospects for India-Singapore Relations
188
Key Bilateral Agreements
190
Acknowledgments
192
Endnotes
193
Bibliography
196
Index
198
S I NG A POR E A ND I NDI A : TOWA R D S A S H A R E D F U T U R E
7
When India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited Singapore in 1946 – a year before
India’s historic independence – many people tur ned up at the Jalan Besar Stadium to hear him
speak. The mood in Singapore then was one of optimism, following the end of the Japanese
Occupation. Nationalist sentiments were on the rise and Singapore itself would go on to gain
independence in 1965. Standing in the crowd that day was a pregnant lady who had come to
listen to the Indian statesman. Midway through his speech, Mr Nehru paused unexpectedly and
asked that the lady be given a seat. Today, the memory of this incident is preserved by the lady’s
son, who is fond of sharing the anecdote.
This story was one of several which was told to our team of writers when we first started work
on this commemorative volume. Singapore and India share a long-standing relationship which
has been shaped by trade, colonial rule, migration and the struggle for nationhood. Early Indian
traders who established trade networks in what is today’s Southeast Asia were followed in the
nineteenth century by Indian immigrants who were part of the larger Indian diaspora formed
under British rule. While it was natural for Indian communities overseas to retain political,
cultural, familial and emotional ties to their homeland, those who remained in Singapore after
independence became an integral part of the country’s social fabric through their contributions
to the nation’s growth and development.
Presently, economic, institutional and cultural exchanges are important platforms connecting
Singapore and India. However, this relationship was not always a cordial one: India’s relations
with Southeast Asia, including Singapore, remained lukewarm for almost three decades due to a
divergence in ideological outlook and security relationships during the Cold War. The strategic
shift towards Asia and ASEAN only took place in the early 1990s and this was articulated in
India’s Look East policy. This policy resulted in a series of economic reforms which spurred
greater collaboration between Singapore and India. In Singapore, concerted efforts were made
to promote and broaden knowledge of the Indian subcontinent and the South Asian region.
This included the formation of the South Asian Studies Programme at the National University of
Singapore in 1999, and the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), a think-tank dedicated to
research on contemporary South Asia, in 2004.
This publication marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and
India, as well as the 10th anniversary of ISAS. The book starts with a shared historical account
of colonial rule, followed by highlights in diplomatic, economic and cultural relations in the postindependence period till the present. Included alongside the narrative are photographs, some
of which are reproduced for the first time, interviews with people who have been involved in
economic and cultural exchanges between our two countries, and profiles of selected Singapore
and Indian companies.
ISAS is deeply appreciative of the support given by the High Commission of India in Singapore
for this publication, and would like to thank the High Commission especially for the valuable
contribution of previously unpublished archival photographs. The National Museum of Singapore
has also generously provided us with photographs from its collection, for which we are grateful.
We are also grateful to the individuals who agreed to be interviewed for this project.
Singapore and India: Towards a Shared Future is not intended to be an exhaustive and
comprehensive account of relations between our two countries. But what it does as a
commemorative volume is to provide an overview of key themes and milestones, before it
concludes by looking at the prospects for relations between Singapore and India.
S IN
HISTORICAL LINKAGES
COLON I AL RUL E
11
BU I LDER S O F E A RLY S IN G A P O R E
16
I N D I AN CO M M UN IT IE S IN S I N G A P O R E
22
WORLD WA R II A N D T HE S TI R R I N G S O F I N DI A N N AT I O N A L I SM
32
1
10
CH APTER ONE : HI STORI CAL L I NKAGES
“Indians have always been an
important community since
they first started arriving in
Singapore in the early 19th
century and they continue
to leave their mark on all
sectors of Singaporean life
even till this day.”
I t al l st art s wi t h t rad e.
Our st ory of rel at i ons b et ween S i ngap ore and Ind i a b egins in 1819, the year
the Bri t i sh arri ved on t he i sl and l ocat ed at t he f oot of the M alay Peninsula,
thei r f l eet of vessel s b or ne b y t he t i d es and p rop el l ed by a tr ade r ivalr y with
the Dut ch.
The Bri t i sh st ak ed t hei r cl ai m t o S i ngap ore as a t rading post, and as it
grew i nt o t hri vi ng col oni al p ort , t here was an i nf l ux of people – mainly from
Chi na, t he Ind i an sub cont i nent , t he Mal ay P eni nsul a and the Indonesian
archi p el ago – who came i n search of work and t rad e oppor tunities.
I nd i ans have al ways b een an i mp ort ant communi t y s ince they fir st star ted
arri vi ng i n S i ngap ore i n t he earl y ni net eent h cent ury and they continue to
l eave t hei r mark on al l sect ors of S i ngap orean l i f e even till this day.
I n t he p eri od f ol l owi ng S i ngap ore’s i nd ep end ence i n 1965, the gover nment
emb ark ed on nat i on- b ui l d i ng eff ort s ai med at b ri ngi ng together Singaporedomi ci l ed mi grant s f rom d i ff erent cul t ural , rel i gi ous an d ethnic backgrounds.
Thi s d i versi t y was a l egacy of t he Bri t i sh Emp i re, whi ch had dr awn dispar ate
m i grant communi t i es t o i t s col oni es.
I n recogni t i on of t he i mp ort ance of t he Ind i an com munity in Singapore,
Tami l i s one of t he nat i on’s f our off i ci al l anguages , while Deepavali is
cel eb rat ed as one of t he mai n f est i val s. Besi d es Tamil, the study of other
I nd i an l anguages, namel y Bengal i , Guj arat i , H i nd i , P unjabi and Urdu, have
al so b een i ncorp orat ed i nt o S i ngap ore’s school curri culum. 1
B road p aral l el s can b e d rawn b et ween current an d histor ical relations
bet ween S i ngap ore and Ind i a. Ind i an mi grat i on i n the 19th centur y was
dri ven b y a d esi re f or j ob s and b et t er p rosp ect s, w hich dovetailed with
the col oni al gover nment ’s d emand f or sk i l l ed and unskilled labour for the
earl y d evel op ment of S i ngap ore and Mal aya. A si mi l ar economic imper ative
ex i st s t od ay.
Since the 1990s, Singapore has seen an increasing number of Indian migrants
of disparate backgrounds, ranging from IT and banking professionals, to
entrepreneurs, to less-skilled transient workers largely employed in the
construction sector. The perception of Singapore as a land of opportunity
still remains in the present day, and Singapore continues to benefit from
the contributions made by both its new Indian migrant community and its
Indian-Singaporean population. India, too, has provided opportunities for
Singaporeans who are based there, or have invested in the Indian subcontinent.
IN D
11
COLONIAL RULE
On 28 January 1819 eight European vessels appeared in the waters off
Temasek and were seen dropping anchor in its natural harbour. On board
were a Briton, Sir Stamford Raffles, and a Scot, Major William Farquhar,
both of whom were in the employ of the British East India Company (EIC).
Accompanying them was an entourage of 120 sepoys from the Bengal Native
Infantry and a bazaar contingent – formed no doubt to provide some semblance
of creature comforts in a foreign land – comprising dhobis (laundrymen),
doodh-wallahs (milkmen), chai-wallahs (tea-makers) and servants. 2
Te m a s e k , whi c h w o u l d l a t e r b e k n o w n as S i ngap ore, was t hen home t o
a s ma ll e s t uari n e c o m m u n i t y m a d e u p of Mal ays, C hi nese and group s of
n o ma dic “s e a g y p s i e s ” k n o w n a s t h e O rang S el et ar and O rang Laut , who
m a de a liv ing f ro m f i s h i n g a n d o c c a s i o n al p i racy.
The f o llo wing d a y, t h e t w o E I C m e n d i s e m b ark ed f rom t hei r shi p af t er havi ng
as c e r t a ine d t h e a b s e n c e o f Du t c h p re s e nce and set f oot on t he i sl and f or a
m e e t ing wit h Te m e n g g o n g A b d u l R a h m an, a l ocal chi ef and rep resent at i ve
of t he Jo ho r-R i a u - L i n g g a s u l t a n a t e .
Wa Hakim, an orang laut who claimed to have witnessed that epochal moment
in Singapore’s moder n history said:
“I remembered the boat landing
in the morning. There were two white men and a Sepo y on it. When “The perception of Singapore
as a land of opportunity still
they landed they went straight to the Temenggong’s house. Tuan
Raffles was there, he was a short man … Tuan Farquhar was there;
remains in the present day,
he was taller than Tuan Raffles and he wore a helmet. The Sepo y
and Singapore continues to
carried a musket. They were entertained by the Temenggong and he
benefit from the contributions
ga ve them rambutans and all kinds of fruits… Tuan Raffles went
made by both its new
into the centre of the house. About 4 o’clock in the afternoon, they
Indian migrant community
came out and went on board again.” 3
Raff l es went on t o si gn a
t re a t y o n 6 F e b ru a ry 1 8 1 9 w i t h Te n g k u Long, one of t he hei rs cont est i ng
t he J o ho r-Ria u - L i n g g a s u l t a n a t e t h ro n e , and secured Temasek as a Bri t i sh
t r a ding o ut pos t . S i t u a t e d e a s t o f t h e Bay of Bengal , S i ngap ore was
s t r a t e g ic a lly i d e a l f o r s a f e g u a rd i n g B ri t ish t rad i ng i nt erest s i n Ind i a and a
b urg e o ning t r a d e w i t h C h i n a .
and its Indian-Singaporean
population. India, too, has
provided opportunities for
Singaporeans who are based
there, or have invested in the
Indian subcontinent.”
S IN
12
1-1
I mmi g r a n t s i n S i n g apore in the 1890s.
T h e n e a r b y C h u l i a Street was hom e to a
s u b s t a n t i a l I n d i a n c om m unity. (S ourc e:
L e e K i p L i n C o l l e c t i on, Courtesy of
N a t i o n a l A r c h i v e s o f Singapore)
IN D
13
S IN
14
While Raffles sailed off shortly after the signing of the treaty, the sepoys
remained on the island to safeguard British interests. When Raffles retur ned
for a second visit in May 1819, he brought along with him building materials,
bullocks and “enough boxes of stationery for the administration to tie itself
up in red tape for the years to come”. 4 Raffles was also accompanied by a
group of Indian migrants from Penang. Among them was Naraina Pillai, who
eventually became an influential figure in the Indian community in Singapore.
Pillai initially found employment as a clerk in the colonial treasury, but as
the British trading settlement grew, Pillai left his job at the treasury to set
up a business supplying bricks. Soon after, the enterprising merchant began
hiring carpenters, bricklayers and cloth merchants from Penang to start two
new businesses: one building houses and the other selling textiles.
By 1821, Temasek had grown into a thriving and successful trading settlement:
the amount of commerce that passed through its harbour that year was
reportedly worth eight million Spanish dollars. 5 The island’s population also
increased as new migrants came in search of trade opportunities.
In addition to the initial group of Indian troops and camp followers, there were
now labourers as well as traders, most notably the Chulias from Tamil Nadu
who were known for their extensive trading networks. These Indian Muslim
traders settled by the Singapore River alongside the Chinese merchants and
established themselves as shopkeepers and petty traders.
In 1824 Indians in Singapore numbered 756 out of the island’s total population
of 10,683. A demographic change was soon brought about by the arrival of
a new group of Indians who would go on to literally build much of early
Singapore.
IN D
Indian traders have been around in
this region long before the 1800s.
They used to trade goods from India
for Southeast Asian and Chinese
commodities. Those who set up
base in Singapore in the nineteenth
century were also actively involved
in the construction of religious
buildings. Temples and mosques
provided spaces where believers
could gather to fulfil their religious
obligations and recreate their sense
of community in a foreign land.
a.
is also a historic building. The
Jamae Mosque along with the AlAbrar Mosque (both of which are
also known as Masjid Chulia) and
the Singapore Nagore Durgha were
among several mosques established
in Singapore by the Indian Muslim
community.
The Singapore Nagore Durgha was
built in the late 1820s as a memorial
to Shahul Hamid, a south Indian
saint and protector of sailors, and it
was a replica of the original Nagore
Durgha in Nagore, Tamil Nadu.
The merchant, Naraina Pillai, was
Many Indian migrants who started
instrumental in building Singapore’s
their jour ney from Nagapattinam in
oldest Hindu temple, the Sri
Nagore would go to the shrine to
Mariamman Temple. The original
pray for a safe voyage. And when
wood-and-attap structure was first
they arrived in Singapore, the local
constructed in 1827, but it was
replaced in 1843 by a brick structure Nagore Durgha would have been
that was built with the help of Indian a familiar and comforting sight. 7
An annual festival held at the
convict labour. Over the years,
Singapore Nagore Durgha well into
Indian and Chinese craftsmen were
the twentieth century used to draw
recruited to do further work on the
not just Indian Muslims, but also
temple. The Sri Mariamman Temple
is today a historical and architectural members from other communities
who would participate in the
landmark. It is known for its or nate
festivities. 8
six-tiered gopuram (entrance tower)
which is ador ned with sculptures of
The Jamae Mosque, the Nagore
Hindu deities as well as sculptures
Durgha and Al-Abrar Mosque were
of sepoys who served during the
designated as national monuments
British Raj. 6
in 1974 for their historical and
Located close to the Sri Mariamman architectural significance. 9
Temple is the Jamae Mosque, which
b.
a.
B u i l t i n 1 8 2 7 , t h e S r i M ariam m an Tem ple
i s t h e o l d e s t H i n d u t em ple in S ingapore.
I t i s d e v o t e d t o t h e w orship of the
mo t h e r- g o d d e s s , Ma riam m an. (S ourc e:
C o u r t e s y o f t h e N a t i onal M useum of
S i n g a p o r e , N a t i o n a l Heritage Board)
b.
T h e J a ma e Mo s q u e was established
i n t h e 1 8 3 0 s b y I n d i an M uslim s who
we r e i n v o l v e d i n t r a de and shipping.
( S o u r c e : C o u r t e s y o f N ational Arc hives
of Singapore)
c.
T h e N a g o r e D u r g h a i n S ingapore.
T h e s h r i n e wa s r e o p ened in 2011 as
t h e N a g o r e D a r g a h I ndian M uslim
H e r i t a g e C e n t r e . ( S o urc e: M organ Betty
B a s s e t t C o l l e c t i o n , C ourtesy of N ational
A r c h i v e s o f S i n g a p o r e)
c.
16
BUILDERS OF EARLY SINGAPORE
Here is the view greeting a traveller as he tours the colonial district in
Singapore in the 1860s: one of the first landmarks he sees will be the Padang,
an open field where residents meet to socialise and trade gossip. In the
distance, overlooking the Padang is a row of colonial, neoclassical buildings.
One building stands out in particular: the St Andrew’s Cathedral with its spire
rising majestically.
The cathedral, which was first built in 1836, was originally designed by
George D. Coleman in his trademark Palladian style. It was found to be
structurally unsound some years later due to the weight of a spire that was
added to the building. The cathedral was also struck twice by lightning. It
was eventually demolished and a brand new cathedral was built in 1861 to
replace the old structure. 10
Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald MacPherson redesigned the cathedral in the
neo-Gothic style and the building was constructed entirely by trained Indian
convict labourers. Over a period of five years, they erected the cathedral’s
teak and slate roof, coated its brick walls with chunam plaster (made from
a mixture of egg white, coarse sugar, shell lime and water in which coconut
husks had been steeped) and painstakingly polished the cathedral walls and
columns with rock crystals and rounded stones. The end result was a wellconstructed building with a distinctive white façade that was “so hard that
even nails have difficulty penetrating it”. 11
It is to the story of these Indian convicts that we now tur n.
In April 1825, Singapore received its first batch of Indian convicts from
Madras, followed by a second group of convicts from Bengal a week later.
This was a result of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824. Under the treaty rules,
the British had to hand Bencoolen, then a penal settlement, to the Dutch
in exchange for Malacca. This would ensure safe passage for British ships
sailing through the Straits of Malacca.
Indian convicts formerly bound for Bencoolen were sent to Singapore where
they were quickly put to all manner of work: there was land to be cleared
and reclaimed, swamps to be filled, roads and canals to be built and public
buildings to be constructed.
Early Singapore owed much of its infrastructure development to Indian
convict labourers who worked on a slew of building and public works projects
initiated by the colonial administration. This prompted the observation that
“the history of Indian convicts was the history of the Public Works Department
of Singapore.” 12
The convicts were predominantly male with the exception of a handful of
females. They came from a cross-section of Indian society and included
Benares Brahmins, Sikh and Dogra Kshatriyas, Chettiar, Bengali and Parsi
financiers and peasants, and untouchables. 13
IN D
1-2.
The inter i o r o f St A n d re w ’s Ca th e d ra l ,
1860s. (So u rce : Co u rte s y o f th e Na ti o n a l
Museum o f Si n g a p o re , Na ti o n a l He ri ta g e
Board)
1-3.
The St Andrew’s Cathedral was constructed
entirely by trained Indian convict labourers.
(Source: Gretchen Liu Collection, Courtesy
of National Archives of Singapore)
17
1-2.
1-3.
S IN
18
1-4.
1-5.
IN D
19
1-6.
Over time, the Indian convict population in Singapore continued to grow.
Indian convicts proved indispensible as a readily available and affordable
source of labour. Besides undertaking construction work, convicts were also
trained to be bricklayers, plasterers, brick makers, carpenters, plumbers,
painters and stonemasons. 14
Furthermore, Indian convicts were mobilised whenever “the presence of a
body of men under discipline was required”. 15 During island-wide riots in
1851, they were organised into groups and sent to disperse bands of rioters.
And in the late 1850s, Indian convicts were called upon to help rid the island
of man-eating tigers. 16
In what was a rather unusual arrangement, the convicts were housed in
temporary accommodation located within the town area, and it was not
until 1841 that they were moved to a new jail which they built themselves.
Major John Frederick Adolphus McNair, Comptroller of Indian Convicts in the
Straits Settlements, noted that “there was little or no prison control over [the
1-4.
T h e j a i l b u i l t b y I n d i an c onvic ts. The
p r i s o n e r s we r e g i v e n an unexpec ted
d e g r e e o f f r e e d o m d uring their
i n c a r c e r a t i o n i n S i n g apore.
prisoners]; only occasionally, an officer of the police came and called the roll in
1-5.
I n d i a n l a b o u r e r s a t work c .1 8 7 0 .
where the Straits Settlements were concerned. 18
( S o u r c e : C o u r t e s y o f the N ational M useum
o f S i n g a p o r e , N a t i o n al Heritage Board)
The convicts were divided into six classes. Those in the first class consisted
1-6.
R o a d r e p a i r t e a m. ( S ourc e: Courtesy of
N a t i o n a l A r c h i v e s o f Singapore)
to work and live outside the jail premises, and were required to report back
order to report to Government that all were present”. 17 Even the prison guards
were discharged and replaced by trusted convicts who were recruited as paid
overseers. Clearly, the “usual stereotypes of penal servitude” did not apply
of “trustworthy convicts allowed out on ticket of leave”. They were allowed
only once a month.
S IN
20
Second-class convicts were permitted to work outside of the prison in
hospitals and gover nment offices. It was not unusual to find first- and
second-class convicts working for town residents as part-time servants.
Further down the hierarchy were third-class prisoners who did not enjoy
the same privileges extended to their fellow inmates in the first two classes
and had to toil away at public works projects. Those in the fourth class
consisted of newly arrived convicts and convicts demoted or promoted from
other classes. They were also involved in construction work.
Fifth-class prisoners, according to McNair, were “convicts degraded from the
higher classes, and such as required more than ordinary vigilance to prevent
escape, or regarding whom special instructions had been received from India.”
They were chained in heavy irons. In the sixth class were sick and aged convicts
who were assigned “light work” as street sweepers and watchmen. 19
Frank Marryant, a midshipman who served aboard the HMS Samarang
between 1843 and 1846, gave an intriguing account of his visit to the jail
in Singapore:
“In this room were confined the most reckless
characters. They were but eight in number. Parallel to the bench
ran a long iron rod, and to this they were shackled … The first man
among them pointed out to me by the overseer was a fine-looking
grey-bearded Indian, of great stature, and with the eyes of a tiger.
He had been formerly a rich shipowner at Bombay; but having been
convicted of insuring his vessels to a large amount, and then setting
fire to them, his property was confiscated by the government. And he
was sentenced to work for life in chains.
It is said that he has
offered a million rupees to any man who will knock off his irons.
His son carries on the business at Bombay, and it is reported tha t a
vessel was always lying at Singapore read y to receive him in case
he should effect his escape; but of this there does not a ppear to be
th e s l i g h t e st c hanc e, as he is par ti cu l a rl y wa tch e d a nd gua rd e d.” 2 0
A series of events starting with the Indian Mutiny of 1857 led to the gradual
winding up of the penal facility in Singapore. The rebellion, which had
ramifications beyond the Indian subcontinent, caused a sudden panic within
the European community over the presence of the Indian convict population in
the Straits Settlements (Singapore, Malacca and Penang). In 1860, the Indian
gover nment stopped sending convicts to Singapore after intense lobbying
by the island’s European population. And in 1867 the Straits Settlements
ceased to be penal colonies after being brought under the control of the
British Colonial Office.
IN D
1-7.
The Gov ern me n t Ho u s e i n Si n g a p o re
was built a l mo s t e n ti re l y b y I n d i a n
conv ict l a b o u r. ( So u rce : Co u rte s y o f th e
National Mu s e u m o f Si n g a p o re , Na ti o n a l
H eritage B o a rd )
1-8
Gov ernme n t Ho u s e , w h i ch i s to d a y th e
Istana. ( S o u rce : Co u rte s y o f Na ti o n a l
Archiv es o f Si n g a p o re )
21
1-7.
1-8.
Despite these developments, the daily routines of convicts still serving out
their sentences remained unchanged. Having built some of Singapore’s
architectural landmarks, including St Andrew’s Cathedral and Fort Canning,
they were put to work on what was to be their final major project: the
Gover nment House, which is today the Istana.
It was not until 1873 that the remaining Indian convicts in Singapore were
sent to the Andaman Islands. Many convicts who were released at the end of
their prison terms chose to remain in Singapore where they found work such
as shopkeepers and dairy farmers.
S IN
22
INDIAN COMMUNITIES IN SINGAPORE
T he s t e a dy g ro w t h o f S i n g a p o re a s a t h rivi ng p ort - ci t y i n t he l ast f ew d ecad es
o f t he nine t e e n t h c e n t u ry w a s d u e i n no smal l p art t o an i mp ort ant event
t ha t t o o k pla c e h a l f a w o rl d a w a y i n 1 869. In N ovemb er t hat year, t he S uez
Ca na l in E g y p t w a s o p e n e d . C u t t i n g a cross t he Ist hmus of S uez t o connect
t he M e dit e r ra n e a n S e a w i t h t h e R e d Sea, t he new wat erway si gni f i cant l y
re duc e d t he t ra v e l l i n g d i s t a n c e b e t w een Europ e and t he East , and gave
Br it a in m uc h s h o rt e r a n d q u i c k e r a c c ess t o i t s emp i re. Thi s d evel op ment
c o uple d wit h a d v a n c e s i n s t e a m s h i p t echnol ogy l ed t o i mp ort ant and f arre a c hing c han g e s i n m a ri t i m e t ra v e l a n d t rad e net work s.
S ing a po re pro v i d e d a n i d e a l s t o p o v e r i n a new mari t i me rout e and b ecame
a n int e r na t io n a l p o rt o f c a l l , e a r n i n g i t sel f t i t l es such as “C hari ng C ross
o f t he E a s t ”, “ C l a p h a m J u n c t i o n o f t h e East ” and “Li verp ool of t he East ”.
It wa s dur ing t h i s p e ri o d t h a t I n d i a n mi grat i on t o S i ngap ore and Mal aya
pic ke d up s i g n i f i c a n t l y, s p u rre d b y t h e growt h of t he p ort and commerci al
pla nt a t io n s e c t o r.
P la nt a t io ns g ro w i n g g a m b i e r, c l o v e s , nut meg, p i neap p l e, sugar cane and
r ubbe r – dub b e d “ w h i t e g o l d ” f o r t h e p rof i t i t generat ed as a cash crop
– we re e s t a b l i s h e d a s f o re s t e d a re a s were cl eared and l and d evel op ed .
D e s pit e Chin e s e d o m i n a n c e i n t h e a g ri cul t ural sect or, Europ ean p l ant ers,
ma ny o f who m w e re f o rm e rl y b a s e d in Ind i a cont i nued t hei r p ract i ce of
hir ing India n w o rk e rs .
T his pre fe re n c e w a s a l s o s h a p e d i n p art b y t he Bri t i sh p ol i cy of d i vi d e and
r ule . T he c o lon i a l g o v e r n m e n t , a n x i o u s t o mai nt ai n i t s gri p on aut hori t y, was
mindf ul o f k e e p i n g a ra c i a l m i x i n t h e i sl and ’s mi grant l ab our p op ul at i on.
E uro pe a n e m p l o y e rs w e re t o l d :
“To secure your independence, work
with Javanese and Tamils, and if you have sufficient experience, also
with Malays and Chinese [;] you can always play the one against the
other … In case of a strike, you will never be left without labour,
and the coolies of one nationality will think twice before they make
their terms, if they know that you are in a position tha t you can do
without them.” 22
S o u t h I n d i a n s f rom Tami l N ad u f ormed t he maj ori t y
o f India n la b o u r m i g ra n t s i n S i n g a p o re. They arri ved mai nl y t hrough t he
inde nt ure s y s t e m a n d , l a t e r o n , t h e ka nga ni syst em. Many had b een
c o m pe lle d t o l e a v e t h e i r h o m e l a n d d u e t o f ami nes and ep i d emi cs i n t he
M a dr a s P re s i d e n c y, p o p u l a t i o n p re s sure on l and hol d i ngs, wi d esp read
une m plo y m e n t a n d p o v e rt y. 2 3
IN D
23
The historian K. S. Sandhu made the following observation on colonial
perceptions of race in the nineteenth century:
“Among the people of
the Indian subcontinent, the South Indian peasant, particularly
[from the] untouchable or lo wer castes … was considered the
most sa tisfactor y type of labourer. He was malleable [and] worked
well under super vision. … He had fewer qualms or religious
susceptibilities, such as crossing the dreaded kale pani (ocean)
and food taboos, than his Northern congeners. Acclima tiza tion to
Malayan conditions was compara tively easier for him as South India
was not totally different from Malaya clima tically. … Moreover [he]
was accustomed to British rule and was well-behaved and docile.” 24
By and large, Indian labourers were recruited for public works and municipal
projects; they also held key roles in the transport industry. Many Tamil, Telegu
and Malayali workers were based in the Tanjong Pagar area where dockyards
and the souther n terminus of the Malayan Railway network were located. 25
1-9.
I n d i a n wo r k e r s r e p a i ring the road
o u t s i d e t h e C h a r t e r e d Bank building.
( S o u r c e : R a f f l e s H o t el Collec tion)
1-9.
S IN
24
1-11.
1-10.
1-10.
Wo r k e r s l a y i n g e l e c tric c ables. M any
I n d i a n l a b o u r e r s were rec ruited for
i n f r a s t r u c t u r e p r o j ec ts. (Sourc e: Courtesy
o f N a t i o n a l A r c h i v e s of S ingapore)
1-11.
Ta mi l l a b o u r e r s , c. 18 8 0 s. (S ourc e:
Mo r g a n B e t t y B a s s ett Collec tion, Courtesy
o f N a t i o n a l A r c h i v e s of S ingapore)
1-12.
Ta mi l b u l l o c k c a r t d rivers – Indians held
k e y r o l e s i n t h e t r a n sport industr y in the
1 9 t h c e n t u r y. T h e s e bulloc k c arts were
o f t e n u s e d t o t r a n s p ort goods at the port.
( S o u r c e : C o u r t e s y of the N ational M useum
o f S i n g a p o r e , N a t i o nal Heritage Board)
1-12.
IN D
25
1-13.
1-14.
1-13.
A s o u t h I n d i a n Mu s l i m sundr y shop.
1-14.
I n d i a n mi l k ma n .
1-15.
A h a wk e r s e l l i n g b r e ad and c ak es.
1-16.
A f i v e - f o o t - wa y b a r b er.
( S o u r c e : C o u r t e s y o f N ational Arc hives of
Singapore)
1-15.
1-16.
S IN
26
Ca t t le he rdin g a n d d a i ry f a rm i n g w e re t wo ot her sect ors i n whi ch Ind i ans
do mina t e d, an d a t o n e p o i n t , I n d i a n s h el d vi rt ual monop ol y over t he l aund ry
bus ine s s . 26 Dh o b i s ( l a u n d ry m e n ) w e re of t en seen p l yi ng t hei r t rad e al ong a
s t re a m in Orc h a rd R o a d :
“[Indian dhobis] naked to a strip of cloth
around the loins, are busy from morning till night, on sabba ths and
on week-days, in shower or in sunshine, bea ting a way a t the soiled
linen of the clothed section of the popula tion.” 27
Tod ay, t he area i s
k no wn a s D h o b y G h a u t , b u t o n l y i t s name p rovi d es a cl ue t o i t s hi st ory;
whe re t he s t re a m o n c e w a s a re n o w shop p i ng mal l s and an und erground
t r a in s t a t io n.
While many of the Indian migrants in Singapore were labourers, there were
a number who came as skilled professionals. In the early twentieth century,
there was a dearth of locally bor n, English-proficient individuals to fill
administrative positions in the colonial gover nment as well as private British
commercial enterprises. This situation created employment opportunities for
Malayalees and Sri Lankan Tamils who found work as civil servants, clerks,
teachers and doctors. In the inter-war years, the growing British naval and
1-17.
military presence in Singapore proved to be a boon for Malayalees seeking
white-collar work. 28
Commercial migrants, too, came seeking their fortune and the Indian business
1-17.
Dhobi man . ( So u rce : Co u rte s y o f Na ti o n a l
community grew to include shopkeepers, pedlars, petty traders, as well as
merchants and financiers with substantial capital.
Traditional mercantile groups like the Parsis, Marwaris, Bengalis and
Gujaratis were joined by large numbers of Sindhi and Punjabi commercial
1-18.
An Indian dhobi shop – dhobi shops
were ver y much used by the upper and
middle classes. (Source: Courtesy of the
National Museum of Singapore, National
Heritage Board)
migrants in the pre- and post-war years. Sindhi and Sikh textile merchants
set up shop along High Street, and for several years after the war, they
dominated the Asian wholesale textile trade with networks that spanned
Jakarta, Bombay, Hong Kong and Kobe. 29 As the merchant community grew,
several associations such as the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce
and the Sindhi Merchants Association were formed in the 1920s and 1930s
to promote trade with India as well as the interests of the different Indian
mercantile groups.
IN D
1-19.
An Indian te xti l e s h o p a l o n g B e a ch R o a d .
( Source: Co u rte s y o f Na ti o n a l A rch i ve s o f
Singapore )
1-20.
The area i n Orch a rd R o a d w h e re d h o b i s
used to w o rk i s kn o w n to d a y a s Dh o b y
Ghaut. ( So u rce : L e e Ki p L i n Co l l e cti o n ,
C ourtesy o f Na ti o n a l A rch i ve s o f
Singapore )
1-18.
27
1-19.
1-20.
S IN
28
The Natukkotai Chettiars were another prominent group of commercial migrants
whose financial activities oiled the wheels of commerce in colonial Singapore.
They first arrived in Singapore in the 1820s, and by the mid-nineteenth century,
these south Indian moneylenders were a well-established presence in Market
Street, which was located in the commercial district. 30
The Chettiars provided a ready source of credit for small businesses, which
would otherwise have found it hard to secure loans from European banks.
Their clients included Indian traders, Chinese businessmen and European
plantation owners. In fact, “it is well known in Singapore and Peninsular
Malaysia that many a successful Chinese merchant began his climb on a loan
from a Chettiar.” 31
Chettiars were shown the ropes of the moneylending trade from an early age.
As soon as they reached the ages of 10 to 12, Chettiar boys were taught
arithmetic and basic skills required for their training as young apprentices. 32
Travelling overseas for economic pursuit was also something Chettiars were
encouraged to do. From their base in Chettinad in Tamil Nadu, Chettiars
formed networks that extended all the way to Mauritius, South Africa,
1-21.
Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, South Vietnam, Malaya and Singapore in the
colonial period. 33
The Chettiars were a close and tight-knit community, and they led frugal
and highly disciplined lives. The kittingi, which was both a communal
residence and office, served an important social and economic function
for Chettiar communities based overseas. 34
“To enter their [kittingi], the
shophouse which served as both their business and their lodging place,
would transport you into an austere and self-sufficient world steeped
in unaltered routine. Here, gambling was outlawed, as were clandestine
meetings with women, and all residents had to be inside by 9 p.m. when
the front door was locked. Meals were provided by a cook brought over
from India … In their money-lending business, Chettiars only hired
Chettiars … Their wives stayed in India, seeing their husbands around
once every three years (the duration of most Chettiar contracts), and from
the age of ten their sons might also be sent overseas, to join the [kittingi]
and learn their family trade.” 35
The Chettiars, who have been described
as “pioneers in microfinancing in Asia”, dominated the moneylending
business in Singapore for well over a century before being edged out by
moder n banking institutions in the 1980s. 36
IN D
1-21.
Mr R. M. V. Supramanium, a prominent
member of the Chettiar community.
(Source: Nachiappa Chettiar Collection,
Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore)
1-22.
Members of the Sindhi Merchants
Association. (Source: J. B. Rupa Collection,
1-23.
Members of the Singapore Indian
Chamber of Commerce. (Source: Ministry
of Information and the Arts Collection,
1-22.
29
1-23.
1-24.
1-24.
An ox-drawn silver chariot being paraded
in the streets during Thaipusam, a Hindu
festival important to the Chettiars.
(Source: Courtesy of the National Museum
of Singapore, National Heritage Board)
1-25.
Chettiars in their kittingi in Market Street.
(Source: The Straits Times © Singapore
Press Holdings Limited. Reprinted with
permission.)
1-25.
S IN
30
Although Singapore’s migrant population was crucial in driving and sustaining
its economic development, the colonial gover nment, which was ever alert
to any potential for revolt, remained anxious about certain groups like the
restive Chinese secret societies. A police force was formed for the purpose
of safeguarding British political and economic interests in Singapore and
Malaya. Bugis, Boyanese, Chinese, Jawi Pekans (who were of mixed Malay
and Indian descent), Malays, South Indians and Europeans were recruited at
various points but all were found unsuitable for policing work. It was then
that the colonial gover nment tur ned to the Punjab and the Northwest Frontier
as a recruiting ground for its police force. 37
In t he da y s o f t h e B ri t i s h E m p i re , t h e f amed mart i al races of Ind i a such as
t he P a t ha ns , R a j p u t s a n d P u n j a b i s w ere enl i st ed f or t he col oni al securi t y
fo rc e s a nd dep l o y e d t o B ri t i s h c o l o n i e s . S i ngap ore recei ved i t s f i rst b at ch of
200 S ik h po l i c e m e n i n 1 8 7 9 . W i t h t h e i r mart i al d ep ort ment , J at S i k hs were
c ho ic e re c r u i t s f o r t h e S t ra i t s S e t t l e ment s P ol i ce Force. A s word sp read
o f t he ir po li c i n g s k i l l s , t h e y w e re i n creasi ngl y sought af t er as securi t y
pe r s o nne l.
Upon lear ning of job opportunities in the local police force, Sikhs started
1-26.
making their way to Singapore and Malaya in increasing numbers. Those who
were unable to meet the strict enlistment requirements sought employment in
the private sector as watchmen, security guards and bodyguards to wealthy
Chinese businessmen. Sikhs also found work as bullock-cart drivers, dairy
farmers and shopkeepers, while some ventured into moneylending.
D ur ing t he G re a t De p re s s i o n o f 1 9 2 9 , t he eff ect s of whi ch were f el t i n
S ing a po re , l a rg e n u m b e rs o f I n d i a n s were rep at ri at ed and i n t he earl y
1930s , im m ig ra t i o n f ro m I n d i a w a s re s t ri ct ed . A s t he economy recovered ,
India n mig r a n t s s t a rt e d re t u r n i n g t o S i ngap ore.
By the 1900s, Indians in Singapore made up nearly 9 per cent of the island’s
population. Many Indian migrants regarded Singapore as a temporary abode
where they could ear n money before retur ning home; few opted to settle in
Singapore permanently with their families. 38
Fresh immigration from India, periodic trips back home for those who could
afford the expense, as well as visits to Malaya and Singapore by prominent
Indians like Rabindranath Tagore, Jawaharlal Nehru, V. S. Srinivasa Sastri
and E. V. Ramasamy Naicker meant that ties with India remained strong. 39
IN D
1-27.
31
The Indian community in Singapore also remained split along traditional lines
of class, occupation, ethnicity, religion and caste. The Singapore Indian
Association, which was set up in 1923, was an attempt at creating a panIndian frater nity. A provision in the organisation’s early constitution ensured
that different Indian ethnic groups from various religious backgrounds
were represented. Members of the Singapore Indian Association were
predominantly from the middle class, with several of them being professionals
and merchants. For much of the 1920s, the association functioned primarily
as a social club that organised recreational and cultural activities, and, on
some occasions, hosted dignitaries from India. 40
1-26.
S i k h g u a r d s . ( S o u r c e : Courtesy of the
N a t i o n a l Mu s e u m o f S ingapore, N ational
Heritage Board)
1-27.
A S i k h t r a f f i c p o l i c e man in the 1 9 3 0 s.
( S o u r c e : C o u r t e s y o f the N ational M useum
o f S i n g a p o r e , N a t i o n al Heritage Board)
1-28.
R a b i n d r a n a t h Ta g o r e during a visit to
S i n g a p o r e – t h e p o e t is seen here at the
h o me o f M. A . N a ma zie, a well- k nown
me r c h a n t , wh o wa s also the c hairm an of
C a p i t o l T h e a t r e s . ( S o u rc e: Courtesy of
A me e r a l i J u ma b h o y )
1-28.
S IN
32
WORLD WAR II AND THE STIRRINGS OF INDIAN NATIONALISM
The early twentieth century saw a surge in Indian nationalist sentiment
and the spread of political and social reform movements within the Indian
diaspora. However, the impact and appeal of these movements remained
limited to specific groups: the anti-British Ghadar movement was popular
mainly with Sikh and other Punjabi groups, while the Self-Respect Movement
resonated with Tamils in Singapore, particularly the educated class, which
helped set up associations dedicated to social and religious reform. 41
During World War II and the Japanese Occupation of Singapore from 1942
to 1945, Indian nationalist aspirations dovetailed with Japanese imperialist
ambitions to bring an end to British dominance in the East. Singapore became
the base from which efforts by overseas Indians to jettison British rule in
India were planned and coordinated.
The swift surrender of British forces in Singapore in February 1942 created
a temporary power vacuum which allowed new actors to emerge on the
political stage. One of the main parties was the Indian Independence League
(IIL) which was established under Japanese auspices. Rash Behari Bose,
who was based in Japan prior to his arrival in Singapore in late 1942, was
appointed leader of the 12,000-strong political organisation.
There was also the Indian National Army (INA), a military outfit led by
Captain Mohan Singh, a former officer in the British Indian Army. The INA’s
raison d’être was to prepare its soldiers, among whom were British Indian
Army soldiers captured as prisoners of war, for direct combat with the British.
Towards the end of 1942, the INA was temporarily disbanded and its leader
Mohan Singh arrested by the Japanese after a souring of relations. It was at
this point an important figure in the Indian nationalist movement appeared. It
is to his arrival in Malaya in 1943 that we tur n to next.
IN D
1-29.
A middle-cl a s s I n d i a n fa mi l y. ( So u rce :
C ourtesy o f Na ti o n a l A rch i ve s o f
Singapor e )
1-30.
Singapor e I n d i a n A s s o ci a ti o n cri cke te e rs
posing w i th th e i r tro p h i e s i n 1927. T h e
organisati o n fu n cti o n e d p ri ma ri l y a s a
social clu b a n d i ts me mb e rs w e re ma i n l y
from the mi d d l e cl a s s . ( So u rce : Sp o rt
Singapor e Co l l e cti o n , Co u rte s y o f Na ti o n a l
33
1-29.
1-30.
S IN
34
CHALO DELHI!
“On 5 July 1943, cries of ‘Chalo Delhi!’ [Onwards to
Delhi!] could be heard ringing out loud along Orchard Road. Thousands
of Indians, many of them soldiers and labourers, were on the march,
placards in hand. They were on their way to the Padang to hear the
famed Bengal revolutionary and one time President of the Indian
National Congress, Subhas Chandra Bose. ‘Chalo Delhi!’ had once
been the battle cry of Indian mutineers in 1857; now, it became the
call to arms of a born-again Indian National Army hastening to meet
its much anticipated saviour.” 42
Bose’s mild and bookish countenance
belied his charisma and impressive oratorical skills. He was a natural Netaji
(leader) and his vision of an independent India captured the imagination of
Indians living in Malaya.
The Indian community in Singapore on the eve of World War II was a
fragmented one, yet it took Bose only a few months to foster a sense of panIndian nationalism.
Thousands of Indians rallied to Bose’s call to rebuild the INA by volunteering
to join the army and raising funds for the liberation movement. While some
Indians undoubtedly joined the INA to avoid Japanese persecution, many
were genuinely swept up by feelings of Indian patriotism. A women’s combat
unit, the Rani of Jhansi regiment, was also formed within the INA.
For a short time in 1943, Singapore served as the seat of the Provisional
Gover nment of Free India (Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind) led by Bose. In early
1944, the INA started its military campaign on the Burma front alongside
three Japanese divisions. Within a few months, the Imphal Operation started
to unravel disastrously: INA forces were plagued by disease and suffered
starvation, and when the remaining troops retur ned to Malaya in 1945, the
INA was disbanded.
Following the retur n of British forces to Singapore, a number of Indian
jour nalists and merchants were indicted, and many INA officers were courtmartialled and repatriated to India to face charges of treason. 43 Despite the
short-lived success of Bose’s campaign, the Indian nationalist movement
steadily gained traction in the post-war years and culminated in independence
for India in 1947.
IN D
1-31.
Proclamati o n o f th e Pro vi s i o n a l
Gov ernme n t o f F re e I n d i a b y Su b h a s
C handra B o s e a t th e o l d Ca th a y Ha l l i n
Singapor e i n 1943. ( So u rce : Ni r va n T h i vy
C ollectio n , Co u rte s y o f Na ti o n a l A rch i ve s
of Singap o re )
35
1-31.
S IN
DIPLOMATIC REL ATIONS
TH E N EH R U C O N N E C T IO N
38
I N D EP EN D E N T S IN G A P O RE
44
I N D I A LOO K IN G E A S T
55
EN GAG I NG T HE IN D IA N S TAT E S
76
2
38
CH APTER TWO: DI PL OM AT I C RE L ATI ONS
“Singapore has attracted
me for long as a great
cosmopolitan city where
the various peoples of
Asia are all represented...
Singapore will become the
place where Asian unity
is forged.”
Pan dit Ja wah ar la l Ne hr u.
THE NEHRU CONNECTION
“Nehru was the first of the Afro-Asians.
He started on the anti-colonial struggle 50 years ago when joining an
anti-colonial movement meant not the glory of quick independence
and high office, but a grim prospect of interminable hardship and
repression with no prospect of easy victory. It was different for
those who joined in anti-colonial movements after the Second World
War. By then India had become free, the achievement of which he
contributed in no small measure. And he gave his unceasing support
to all the anti-colonial revolutions elsewhere in Asia and Africa,
against the British, Dutch and French. We in Malaysia also received
his support and were inspired by India’s own successful struggle for
freedom. […] India has lost her most illustrious son; Malaysia has
lost a staunch friend.” 1
Thi s
t ri b ut e
by
S i ngapore’s
for mer
Pr ime
M i ni st er Lee K uan Yew t ak es us b ack t o 30 May 1964. B y 5pm that day,
thousand s had gat hered at t he J al an Besar S t ad i um i n Singapore to attend a
cond ol ence servi ce f or Ind i a’s f i rst P ri me Mi ni st er, P an dit Jawahar lal Nehr u.
The crowd sat cheek b y j owl on t he grass f i el d and in the gr andstands.
Up on t he st age, agai nst a p ai nt ed p ort rai t of Mr Nehr u in his signature
G and hi cap , p ol i t i ci ans and communi t y l ead ers i n S i ngapore gave speeches
h onouri ng t he resp ect ed st at esman.
L arge crowd s had gat hered at t hi s very same st ad i um to listen to Mr Nehr u
s p eak on earl i er occasi ons. Bet ween 1937 and 1950, the Indian statesman
m ad e t hree off i ci al vi si t s t o S i ngp aore. A shared histor y under B r itish
col oni al i sm and t he p resence of an Ind i an mi grant community in Singapore
and Mal aya f ormed t he b asi s of cl ose rel at i ons b et ween India and Singapore.
D uri ng hi s i naugural vi si t i n 1937, Mr N ehru, who was accompanied by his
daught er Ind i ra, i nsp ect ed Ind i an cool i e q uart ers and visited ver nacular
s chool s set up b y t he Ind i an A ssoci at i on. 2 H e met wi th a large gather ing of
I nd i ans, Europ eans and C hi nese at Farrer P ark , and attended a reception
h ost ed b y t he Ind i an C hamb er of C ommerce. A weal t h y minor ity, the Indian
m ercant i l e communi t y i n S i ngap ore, rep ort ed l y conducted as much as 70
per cent of t he p ort ci t y’s t rad e wi t h Ind i a j ust b ef ore Wor ld War II. 3 W hen
M r N ehru was p resent ed wi t h t he chamb er’s const i t u tion book and annual
rep ort , he t ook t he op p ort uni t y t o remi nd t he Ind i an community to be united
and t o p ay more at t ent i on t o p romot i ng Ind i an ed ucation. 4
M r N ehru’s second vi si t t o S i ngap ore and Mal aya t ook place in March 1946
w hen he came as C ongress P art y rep resent at i ve at the invitation of Lord
IN D
39
Lo uis M o unt b a t t e n , H e a d o f S o u t h e a s t A si a C ommand , and l at er, t he l ast
Br it is h V ic e ro y o f I n d i a .
S ix m o nt hs p ri o r t o M r N e h ru ’s v i s i t , t he Bri t i sh Mi l i t ary A d mi ni st rat i on
ha d t a k e n c on t ro l o f t h e i s l a n d f o l l o wi ng t he J ap anese surrend er. A s a
de m o ns t r a t io n o f t h e i r re t u r n t o p o w e r, t he Bri t i sh p romp t l y d emol i shed t he
India n Na t io nal A rm y ( I N A ) Wa r M e m o ri a l , whi ch was a st ark remi nd er of t he
a nt i-c o lo nia l n a t i o n a l i s t a s p i ra t i o n s g a lvani sed b y S ub has C hand ra Bose
a nd t he INA d u ri n g t h e J a p a n e s e O c c u p at i on. Mr N ehru sched ul ed a l owk e y v is it t o t he e rs t w h i l e I N A Wa r M e m o ri al , l eavi ng roses at t he si t e of t he
o r ig ina l s t r uc t u re . 5 H e a l s o p e rs u a d e d Lord Mount b at t en t o rep at ri at e t he
m e m be r s o f t h e I N A w h o h a d b e e n i n t e r ned b y t he Bri t i sh.
During a rally at the Jalan Besar stadium, Mr Nehru called for peaceful and
constructive means to attain freedom, and at a press conference, he said:
“Singapore has attracted me for long as a great cosmopolitan city where
the various peoples of Asia are all represented ... Singapore will become the
place where Asian unity is forged. In the future, the peoples of Asia must hold
together for their own good as well as the good and freedom of the world.” 6
M r Ne hr u re t u r n e d t o S i n g a p o re i n J u n e 1950 f or what was t o b e hi s t hi rd
a nd la s t o ffic i a l v i s i t . I n d i a h a d , b y t h e n , emerged as a newl y i nd ep end ent
na t io n s t a t e an d d e m o c ra c y.
Whe n M r Ne hru a n d I n d i ra a rri v e d a t t h e K al l ang ai rf i el d i n S i ngap ore f or a
t wo -da y s t a t e v i s i t f ro m 1 7 J u n e t o 1 9 J une 1950, t he Bri t i sh C ommi ssi oner
Ge ne r a l M a lc o l m M a c Do n a l d w a s t h e re t o greet t hem. Many i n t he Ind i an
c o m m unit y a ls o t u r n e d u p t o c a t c h a g l imp se of t he Ind i an l ead er.
Ov e r t he c o ur s e o f h i s v i s i t , M r N e h ru l ai d t he f ound at i on st ones at t he
S ing a po re Ind i a n A s s o c i a t i o n h e a d q u art ers, as wel l as t he Mahat ma
Ga ndhi M e m o ri a l H a l l , w h i c h w a s b e d e ck ed wi t h t he Ind i an t ri col our f l ag.
He a ls o o pe n e d a n e w d o rm i t o ry a t the Ramak ri shna Mi ssi on, a H i nd u
re f o r m o rg a nis a t i o n . A d d re s s i n g a h u g e crowd at t he J al an Besar S t ad i um,
India ’s P r im e M i n i s t e r a g a i n a l l u d e d t o t he need f or p eace, conci l i at i on and
c o o pe r a t io n in t h e re g i o n .
Wit hin t ha t s a m e y e a r, t h e C o l o m b o P l an t o assi st d evel op ment i n newl y
inde pe nde nt A s i a n c o u n t ri e s w a s m o o t e d . A nd i n 1954, Mr N ehru sched ul ed
a br ie f lunc h s t o p i n S i n g a p o re e n ro u te t o Bogor, Ind onesi a t o at t end a
c o nfe re nc e fo r C o l o m b o p o w e rs . T h e s e event s t ook p l ace i n t he p ost - war
y e a r s whic h s a w t h e d i s s o l u t i o n o f t h e B ri t i sh Emp i re and t he emergence of
a f r a g ile a llia n c e b e t w e e n i t s f o rm e r c o l oni es.
“Whatever new equilibrium
or geopolitical balance
eventually emerges, we
believe that India will be
an important player. India’s
strategic importance will
be of significance to us in
Southeast Asia.”
P r es i d en t S . R . N a th an .
S IN
40
2-1.
2-2.
2-3.
2-1.
J a wa h a r l a l N e h r u and his daughter,
I n d i r a , d u r i n g h i s i n augural
v i s i t t o S i n g a p o r e i n 1937. (Sourc e:
C o u r t e s y o f N e h r u M em orial M useum &
L i b r a r y ( N MML ) , N ew D elhi)
2-2.
P a n d i t Nehru at a reception hosted by the
Indian Chamber of Commerce in 1937. He
urged the Indian community in Singapore
to be united and to focus on Indian
education. (Source: Ministr y of Information
and the Arts Collection, Courtesy of
National Archives of Singapore)
IN D
2-4.
2-3.
Pandit Nehru’s second visit to Singapore
was in March 1946, shortly after the end
of the Japanese Occupation. He had been
invited by Lord Louis Mountbatten, then
Supreme Allied Commander of Southeast
Asia and, later, the last British Viceroy of
India. (Source: Courtesy of Nehru Memorial
Museum & Librar y (NMML), New Delhi)
2-4.
Pandit Nehru with Mr Tan Kah Kee and
Mr Lien Ying Chow. (Source: Courtesy of
Ameerali Jumabhoy)
2-5.
2-7.
41
2-6.
2-8.
2-5.
Pandit Neh ru p re p a ri n g to a d d re s s th e
crowd at Ja l a n B e s a r Sta d i u m i n 1950.
H e highligh te d th e n e e d fo r p e a ce ,
conciliation a n d co o p e ra ti o n i n A s i a .
2-6.
Pandit Nehru laying the foundation stone at
the Singapore Indian Association. He also
laid the foundation stone at the Mahatma
Gandhi Memorial Hall and was a guest of
honour at the opening ceremony of a new
dormitory at the Ramakrishna Mission.
2-7.
Pandit Neh ru s i g n i n g a n a u to g ra p h fo r a
boy during a re ce p ti o n a t th e I n d i a Ho u s e
in Singapo re , 1950.
2-8.
Pandit Neh ru a n d I n d i ra Ga n d h i vi e w i n g
ex hibits ins i d e th e n e w d o rmi to r y, 1950.
(Source: Courtesy of Photo Division,
Ministr y of Information and Broadcasting,
Government of India)
2-9.
2-9.
Prime Mini s te r L e e Ku a n Ye w s p e a ki n g a t
a condolen ce s e r vi ce fo r th e l a te I n d i a n
Prime Mini s te r Ja w a h a rl a l Ne h ru a t th e
Jalan Besar s ta d i u m, 30 Ma y 1964.
(Source: Ministr y of Information and the
Arts Collection, Courtesy of National
Archives of Singapore)
S IN
A bust of Mr Nehru and a
commemorative plaque were
officially unveiled in 2011 at the
Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM)
in Singapore as part of efforts
by the National Heritage Board
(NHB) to commemorate important
historical figures with a connection
to Singapore.
India’s Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh and Singapore’s Emeritus
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong
were present at the event, and it
was a symbolic reaffirmation of ties
between the two countries.
In the booklet which was published
in conjunction with the unveiling of
the plaque and bust, it was noted
that “in the history of moder n India,
few leaders have had the profound
influence on the Indian people as
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Pandit
Nehru visited Singapore thrice
officially [and] each visit was one
of significance ... We hope that
with this marker, the long-standing
friendship between our two nations
and our heritage institutions will
continue to grow from strength to
strength.” 7
a.
a-b.
T h e N e h r u b u s t a n d c om m em orative
p l a q u e we r e c o mmi ssioned as part of the
N H B ’s “ F r i e n d s t o Our S hores” series.
( S o u r c e : N a t i o n a l H eritage Board)
c.
T h e c o mme mo r a t i v e plaque and bust at
A C M G r e e n . ( I ma g e by Rinisha D utt)
c.
b.
43
Singapore attained full internal self-government in 1959, casting off British
colonial rule. At the Legislative Assembly elections in May 1959, the People’s
Action Party (PAP) won a landslide victory. However, despite their successes
in governing Singapore, the PAP leaders felt that Singapore’s future would lie
with Malaya in view of the strong historical and economic ties between the two
countries. Hence, they campaigned vigorously for a merger with Malaya, Brunei
and the British Borneo territories of Sabah and Sarawak. However, this merger
was opposed by the pro-communist forces in Singapore. Externally, President
Sukarno of Indonesia also saw the proposal for a Malaysian Federation
as a British imperialist plot to contain Indonesia. In light of domestic and
external opposition, PAP leaders undertook extensive tours to Asian-African
countries to explain the situation and the reason for the merger. India was
an important stop as it was the leader of the Non-Aligned Movement and
the Third World. India’s understanding and political support was essential to
getting international acceptance of the formation of Malaysia.
As a result, official relations with India started even while Singapore was
still a self-governing state with its defence and foreign affairs under British
responsibility. On 23 and 24 April 1962, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Kuan
Yew visited India as part of his tour of several countries, including Burma,
Yugoslavia and the United Arab Republic. His goal was to convince them that
Singapore’s proposed merger with Malaya was not a neo-colonial plot. The
Malaysia proposal was first announced on 27 May 1961 by Malaya’s Prime
Minister Tengku Abdul Rahman. The plan was to form a federation comprising
the existing Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Brunei and the British Borneo
territories of Sabah and Sarawak. Mr Lee was accompanied on this tour by
C. V. Devan Nair, Jek Yeun Thong, Yaacob bin Mohamed and Rahim Ishak.
While in New Delhi, Mr Lee called on Prime Minister Nehru, President Rajendra
Prasad and Vice-President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He also attended a
dinner hosted by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Lakshmi Menon.
Mr Lee told Mr Nehru that the pro-communist forces in Singapore and Malaya
seemed to have persuaded some members of the Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity
Association Organization (AAPSO)’s Secretariat in Cairo to oppose the merger.
The communists in Singapore sought to whip up racial feelings among the
Singapore Chinese to frustrate the proposed merger. It was part of their
“strategy and tactics which tied them to the Chinese communist bandwagon”. 8
Mr Nehru’s response to the Malaysian merger was positive. The Times of India
reported that Mr Menon thought Malaysia “was a good idea and hoped that
endeavours to form this unit would be crowned with success.”
At a meeting of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation
on 20 July 1962, the Indian delegation successfully blocked a petition from
a political group representing the Council of Joint Action in Singapore. The
petition alleged that “the referendum proposals were framed in such a way
that the people would not have an opportunity of accepting or rejecting the
gover nment’s constitutional proposal for joining Malaysia.” The petition was
S IN
44
rejected by a vote of ten in favour, two against and five abstentions. India,
Cambodia and Tunisia said that as Singapore had a freely elected gover nment,
its action would not come under review by the Special Committee. 9
On 25 February 1964, Mr Lee arrived in New Delhi again after a six-week tour
of 17 African countries. The tour was meant to counter Indonesian President
Sukar no’s political campaign against the formation of Malaysia. Mr Sukar no
had declared a state of Konfrontasi (confrontation) and initiated actions
against Malaysia, including military acts.
Mr Lee met Mr Nehru, Union Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Mrs Menon.
Mr Lee explained to Mr Nehru that the main problem was Indonesia’s attitude
of behaving like a “big and difficult neighbour”, and that Indonesia had a
huge military compared to Malaysia. He said that “a moral influence on
Indonesia by great men [like Mr Nehru] with a revolutionary and anti-colonial
past might help bring Indonesia to a more peaceful frame of mind to settle
its differences with Malaysia.” 10
INDEPENDENT SINGAPORE
Wit hin M a la y s i a , re l a t i o n s b e t w e e n t he PA P and t he rul i ng U ni t ed Mal ay
Na t io na l Orga n i s a t i o n ( U M N O ) s o o n d et eri orat ed and b ecame acri moni ous
a nd c o nfro nt a t i o n a l o v e r i s s u e s o f ra ce and who shoul d rul e t he count ry.
On 9 A ug us t 1 9 6 5 , S i n g a p o re s e p a rat ed f rom Mal aysi a and b ecame an
inde pe nde nt s t a t e . O n t h e s a m e d a y, Mr Lee wrot e t o P ri me Mi ni st er of
India , La l Ba h a d u r S h a s t ri , a s k i n g f o r a message of sup p ort f or S i ngap ore
a s a n inde pen d e n t s o v e re i g n n a t i o n . H e al so ask ed Mr S hast ri t o send a
milit a r y t e a m t o h e l p t ra i n a n d e x p a n d S i ngap ore’s army, whi ch had onl y
t wo infa nt r y b a t t a l i o n s a t t h e t i m e . I n hi s rep l y d at ed 11 A ugust , Mr S hast ri
no t e d t ha t S i n g a p o re ’s s e p a ra t i o n f rom Mal aysi a and i t s b ecomi ng an
inde pe nde nt s t a t e t o o k p l a c e “ a s a resul t of an agreement and has b een
a ppro v e d by t h e P a rl i a m e n t o f M a l a y s i a”. H e conveyed t he si ncere good
wis he s o f t he g o v e r n m e n t a n d p e o p l e of Ind i a, and l ook ed f orward t o “t he
de v e lo pme nt o f c l o s e a n d f ri e n d l y re l a t i ons and mut ual coop erat i on i n many
f ie lds be t we e n S i n g a p o re a n d I n d i a ” . Ind i a was t he f i rst non- Europ ean
Co mmo nwe a l t h c o u n t ry t o re c o g n i s e S i ngap ore as an i nd ep end ent st at e.
In September 1966, Mr Lee made his first official visit to India to thank
the Indian gover nment for supporting Singapore’s application for admission
into the United Nations, the Afro-Asia Conference and the Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM). He called on Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had taken
over the premiership after Mr Shastri passed away in Tashkent a few months
earlier. They discussed a broad range of issues concer ning growth and
development, political developments in Southeast Asia, and India’s role in
the region. Mr Lee suggested that since India had historical goodwill with its
IN D
2-10.
Mr Lee’s l e tte r to Mr Sh a s tri w h e n
Singapor e b e ca me i n d e p e n d e n t o n
9 August 1965.
2-10a.
Mr Shastri ’s re p l y.
( Source: Mi n i s tr y o f F o re i g n A ffa i rs
Singapor e )
45
2-10.
S IN
46
2-10a.
IN D
47
2-11.
smaller neighbours and friendly relations with China despite the 1962 SinoIndian border war, India should take the leadership role in Southeast Asia. He
proposed that India and Japan should start some form of regional economic
cooperation.
In May 1967, Exter nal Affairs Minister M. C. Chagla visited Singapore and
Malaysia. He discussed the importance of regional cooperation in improving
social and economic conditions and enhancing political stability in Southeast
Asia. He mentioned the possibility of India playing a role. A joint communiqué
issued in Singapore stated: “Such cooperation should be on the basis of
equality and mutual benefits without the domination of any one or more
countries.” 11 It was apparent that India had anticipated the forthcoming
formation of ASEAN in August 1967, and preferred to see Vietnam included
in a larger Southeast Asian regional grouping.
As a gesture of goodwill, Mr Chagla offered Singapore a two-seater India-built
trainer aircraft for pilot training, as well as 80 trained Ladakh cavalry horses
like those used by the Indian Presidential guards. 12 Singapore had earlier
indicated interest in obtaining cavalry horses for the Singapore National Day
parade like India’s Republic Day parade. However, upon re-consideration,
2-11.
D e p u t y P r i me Mi n i s t er D r Toh Chin
C h y e ( l e f t ) , l e a d e r o f the Singapore
G o o d wi l l Mi s s i o n t o the United N ations
( U N ) G e n e r a l A s s e mbly and Afro- Asian
c o u n t r i e s , c a l l i n g o n Indian P rim e
Mi n i s t e r L a l B a h a d u r Shastri on
1 2 N o v e mb e r 1 9 6 5 . (Sourc e: Toh Chin
C h y e C o l l e c t i o n , C o u rtesy of N ational
A r c h i v e s o f S i n g a p o r e)
the Singapore gover nment decided to decline the offer as the 80 cavalry
horses were deemed to be uneconomical to maintain.
In June 1967, a four-man Indian defence delegation visited Singapore and
Malaysia to discuss their specific training needs and the use of training
facilities in India. India also offered places for Singapore cadets in its naval
academy. 13
S IN
48
2-12.
2-13.
IN D
49
PRIME MINISTER INDIRA GANDHI’S VISIT TO SINGAPORE ON
19 AND 20 MAY, 1968
On 19 May 1968, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi arrived in Singapore for a
two-day official visit. Her official Programme included calling on President
Yusof bin Ishak, addressing a mass rally at the National Theatre, and holding
discussions with Mr Lee and Mr S. Rajaratnam, who was Singapore’s Minister
for Foreign Affairs and Labour at the time.
Singapore was the first stop in Mrs Gandhi’s twelve-day tour of four
countries, namely Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia. Her tour
was intended to foster closer relations and to find new channels of
cooperation at a time when the region was facing sweeping changes and
uncertainties arising from the coming British withdrawal, the war in Vietnam
and the implications of the Chinese Cultural Revolution.
Addressing the mass rally at the National Theatre, Mrs Gandhi said that India
sought cooperation and exchanges with her neighbours without seeking
domination. Reiterating the same theme in her state banquet speech, she
said that India believed in regional cooperation “not as a narrow scheme
of pitting one region against another, but [a] broad-based concept in which
every country would play a vital role and none would dominate the others”.
She also added that India would not exclude any country in the region
because of its different social, economic or political system. 14
Mrs Gandhi went on to note that both India and Singapore were in “[the]
full swing of development and the transition to moder nity”. Renewing her
call for narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor nations, she said:
“It is only through their own efforts, through the endeavour of their own
people that developing countries can give social and economic content to
their political independence.”
2-12.
Mr L e e a n d Mr s G a n dhi walk ing down the
r e d c a r p e t a f t e r Mr s G andhi’s arrival in
S i n g a p o r e . T h e y we r e ac c om panied by
Mr s L e e .
A joint communiqué issued at the end of the visit stated that the two prime
ministers had had a frank and useful exchange of views, covering a broad
range of topics including the present world situation; problems in South and
Southeast Asia; and ways of further strengthening cooperation in the fields
2-13.
Mr L e e p r o p o s i n g a t oast at a banquet for
Mr s G a n d h i .
of economics, trade, tourism, culture, technology and science.
( S o u r c e : T h e S t r a i t s Tim es ©
S i n g a p o r e P r e s s H o l dings Lim ited.
R e p r i n t e d wi t h p e r mi ssion.)
and India had agreed to sign a trade agreement, which would be followed
At her press conference before her departure, Mrs Gandhi said that Singapore
by joint ventures in Singapore in the machine tool and engineering fields. 15
S IN
50
2-14.
2-14.
Mr s I n d i r a G a n d h i at a lunc heon
o r g a n i s e d b y t h e J oint Standing
C o mmi t t e e o f t h e Singapore Cham bers
o f C o mme r c e .
2-15.
Mr s I n d i r a G a n d h i b eing greeted by
Mr L e e a n d h i s wi f e, M adam K wa G eok
C h o o , wh e n s h e a r rived at a garden
p a r t y h e l d i n h e r h onour at Bharat
B h a v a n , t h e r e s i d e nc e of the Indian
H i g h C o mmi s s i o n e r to Singapore.
A c c o mp a n y i n g Mr s G andhi was the Indian
H i g h C o mmi s s i o n e r, M r Surender Singh
A l i r a j p u r ( a t t h e f a r right) .
2-16.
Mr s G a n d h i a d mi r i n g a batik painting of
a n I n d i a n k a v a d i d evotee, whic h M r Lee
h a d p r e s e n t e d t o h er.
( S o u r c e : T h e S t r a i t s Tim es ©
S i n g a p o r e P r e s s H oldings Lim ited.
R e p r i n t e d wi t h p e r m ission.)
IN D
2-16.
2-15.
2-17.
2-18.
2-19.
2-20.
2-17.
Mrs Gandhi study ing a model of the
Jurong Industrial Estate.
2-18.
Mrs Gandhi was giv en a tour of H ousing
and Dev elopment Board ( H DB) flats during
her v isit to Singapore.
51
2-20.
A smiling Mrs Ga n d h i p o s i n g w i th
her beautifu l o rch i d a t th e
Singapore B o ta n i c Ga rd e n s .
( Source: Th e Stra i ts Ti me s ©
Singapore Pre s s Ho l d i n g s L i mi te d .
Reprinted w i th p e rmi s s i o n . )
2-19.
Singapore’s Foreign Minister S. Rajaratnam
calling on Mrs Gandhi at Sri Temasek.
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52
REGIONAL COOPERATION
During her tour of Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand in May
1968, Mrs Gandhi proposed a plan which would include “regional economic
cooperation; free exchange of ideas, resources and know-how among the
developing and developed countries; and, an inter national guarantee by
the big powers that neutrality and independence of aspiring nations would
be preserved to help them develop their nationalism through popular
gover nments.” 16 President V. V. Giri later raised the possibility of forming an
Asian Council of Economic Ministers under the auspices of the UN Economic
and Social Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) during his visit
to Singapore in September 1971. However, the proposal did not find wide
appeal as by that time, discussions on ASEAN regional cooperation were
already well underway. At the first ASEAN Summit held in Bali in February
1976, ASEAN decided to set up an ASEAN Preferential Trading Arrangement
(PTA) to facilitate the expansion of trade among the member states.
It was apparent that Mrs Gandhi was more preoccupied with the security
threats from Pakistan and China, and a possible Pakistan-China-US collusion
against India. In his memoirs, Mr Lee made the following observation: “[...]
when I visited India in 1970, I asked [Mrs Gandhi] whether India intended to
extend its naval interests into Southeast Asia. Their foreign minister, Swaran
Singh, who was present, intervened to say that India was interested in
increasing economic ties, but its greater interest was in keeping its wester n
sea lanes open. I sensed that India’s primary defence concer n was Pakistan,
fearing a US-China-Pakistan line-up.” 17
IN D
2-21.
C ordial r e l a ti o n s : T h e Si n g a p o re fl a g
fly ing at Ma d ra s A i rp o rt d u ri n g Mr
and Mrs L e e ’s o ffi ci a l vi s i t to I n d i a i n
Septemb e r 1970. Po s t-i n d e p e n d e n ce ,
Mr Rajara tn a m a cco mp a n i e d th e Pri me
Minister o n a vi s i t to Ne w De l h i i n 1966,
and in Ma y 1968, Pri me Mi n i s te r Ga n d h i
reciproca te d w i th a n o ffi ci a l vi s i t to
Singapor e . ( So u rce : Mi n i s tr y o f F o re i g n
Affairs Si n g a p o re )
53
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COLD WAR PERIOD
D ur ing t he 19 7 0 s a n d e a rl y 1 9 8 0 s , I n d i a’s rel at i ons wi t h t he A S EA N count ri es
we re a ffe c t ed b y C o l d Wa r p e rc e p t i o n s and t he i ssues of C amb od i a and
A f g ha nis t a n. W h e n I n d i a s i g n e d t h e Treat y of P eace, Fri end shi p and
Co o pe r a t io n w i t h t h e S o v i e t U n i o n i n 1 971, t he A S EA N count ri es saw i t as a
s t r a t e g ic t ilt t o w a rd s t h e S o v i e t U n i o n . They were al so great l y d i sap p oi nt ed
by t he India n g o v e r n m e n t ’s re c o g n i t i on of t he H eng S amri n regi me i n
Ca mbo dia in J u l y 1 9 8 0 . T h e y f e l t t h a t t hi s move served t he i nt erest s of t he
S o v ie t Unio n a n d i t s p ro x y, V i e t n a m , i n t he C amb od i an conf l i ct . It was al so
a n unt ime ly d e c i s i o n a s i t “ [ u n d e rm i n ed ] t he search, and [weak ened ] t he
init ia t iv e s by t h e A S E A N f o r a d u ra b l e pol i t i cal sol ut i on t o t he K amp uchean
pro ble m ”. 18 A t t h e C o n f e re n c e o f M i n i s t ers f or Forei gn A ff ai rs of N on- A l i gned
Co unt r ie s hel d i n De l h i i n F e b ru a ry 1 9 81, S i ngap ore p rot est ed agai nst t he
India n g o v e r n m e n t ’s d e c i s i o n t o d e n y vi sas t o t he Democrat i c K amp uchea
re pre s e nt a t iv e s b u t i n v i t e t h e V i e t n a m - b ack ed H eng S amri n rep resent at i ves
t o t he o pe nin g . T h i s d e c i s i o n c a l l e d i nt o q uest i on t he i mp art i al i t y of Ind i a
a s c ha ir m a n o f t h e c o n f e re n c e , a s w e l l as Ind i a’s st at ure as l ead er of t he
no n-a lig ne d n a t i o n s i n A s i a .
Despite
these
political
differences,
Singapore-India
bilateral
relations
remained cordial, reinforced by their Commonwealth links. Mr Lee maintained
constant contact with the Indian leaders, and he visited India in 1970 and
1971. He also visited in 1978, 1980 and 1983 to attend Commonwealth
conferences held there. He made it clear that despite differences over
Cambodia, Singapore-India relations remained free of problems. This was
also the case in the area of military exchanges. In March 1980, Singapore’s
army chief, Major-General Winston Choo, made a 10-day goodwill visit to
India to reciprocate an earlier visit to Singapore by Chief of the Indian Army
Staff O. P. Malhotra. In October 1981, Indian Vice-President M. Hidayatullah
made a three-day official visit to Singapore.
However, there was clearly a cooling-off period, as Mr Lee admitted in his
memoirs: “Our divergent policies on Cambodia kept me away from India until
March 1988, when I tried to establish contact with [Indira Gandhi’s] son
Rajiv Gandhi the prime minister.” 19
By 1987, there was a noticeable change in India’s attitude with regard to
the Cambodian issue. Delhi began sending special envoys to the ASEAN
countries to explore a possible mediatory role by India. It also indicated that
India was supportive of ASEAN’s informal initiatives to reach out to Hanoi
and to find a peaceful solution to the Cambodian conflict.
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55
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi got on well with Mr Lee and respected his views.
Singapore businessman Ameerali Jumabhoy recalls that during Mr Lee’s visit
to India in March 1988, he and various Indian guests waited for Mr Lee at
a garden party, but Mr Lee did not tur n up. This was because the meeting
between Mr Lee and Mr Gandhi had lasted more than two hours as they
discussed Cambodia, the India-Sri Lanka Accord and Afghanistan. After
his meeting with Mr Lee, Mr Gandhi requested that he stay to listen to Sri
Lanka’s Defence Minister, who had been waiting outside to have a meeting
with Mr Gandhi.
The Rajiv Gandhi gover nment had also begun to liberalise the Indian economy
by removing some of the gover nment controls and import restrictions. The
Singapore Trade and Development Board (TDB) had been actively exploring
trade and investment opportunities in India since 1985. These opportunities
included importing electronics and electrical equipment, semi-processing
food products as well as oil exploration and drilling. In 1988, it expanded its
operations in India from a single office in Bombay to a second office in Delhi.
INDIA LOOKING EAST
Narasimha Rao gover nment
Bilateral relations began to intensify after Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong
and Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao met during the Non-Aligned Summit
in Jakarta in September 1992. They discussed cooperation in cultural and
labour exchanges, trade and investment, and defence training. The following
February, Minister for Information and Arts and Second Minister for Foreign
Affairs George Yeo led a business delegation on an extensive 12-day tour
of Delhi and several other Indian cities to explore opportunities for bilateral
cooperation and joint ventures in tourism, civil aviation, telecommunications,
real estate, financial services, ports, shipping and warehousing. This coincided
with the regionalisation drive launched by the Singapore gover nment to
encourage Singapore companies to venture overseas in the ASEAN countries,
South Asia and China. At his National Day Rally speech in August 1993, Mr
Goh said that he would start a “mild India fever”. He hoped that India would
take off if the Indian gover nment could change the people’s mindset and get
its bureaucracy to actively support market reforms.
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In January 1994, Mr Goh was invited to visit India as the chief guest at the
India Republic Day Parade. He told the press that with the Paris Accord,
the Cambodia issue was a closed chapter between Singapore and India.
While he was initially apprehensive about India’s acquisition of a blue-water
fleet, he acknowledged that India had “a legitimate interest to have a good
navy to defend its long coastline”. 20 Singapore’s desire to see India take on
a greater role in the Southeast Asian region came in the wake of the closure
of the US bases in the Philippines in 1992, territorial disputes in the South
China Sea, and a new Chinese assertiveness. The Cold War had ended with
the collapse of the Soviet Union, leading to a more positive perception of the
Indian gover nment under Mr Rao. The ASEAN countries began to reach out
to India, and in 1993, Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad of Malaysia and
President Suharto of Indonesia visited Delhi.
From 1992 to 1995, Mr Rao made official visits to several ASEAN countries,
namely Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia. India was
courting ASEAN because trade and investment flows from the ASEAN
countries could help fill the exter nal financing gaps in the Rao gover nment’s
economic reforms programme. In fact, Singapore was the first stop of
an overseas investment promotion tour in October 1991 undertaken by
Finance Minister Manmohan Singh and Minister of State for Commerce
P. Chidambaram. Singapore also actively canvassed support among its
ASEAN partners for India to join as a dialogue partner. India became a
2-22.
Singapor e Pri me Mi n i s te r Mr Go h a n d
Indian Pri me Mi n i s te r Mr R a o .
Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 1992; a full ASEAN Dialogue Partner
in 1995; and a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1996.
Mr Rao visited Singapore in September 1994 during which he gave a Singapore
Lecture titled “India and the Asia-Pacific: Forging a New Relationship”. In
his lecture, Mr Rao spoke about the need to change Cold War attitudes.
He said that India wanted to be part of the future development of the AsiaPacific region, highlighting the region’s strategic importance. This was the
first official articulation of India’s new Look East Policy.
However, the 1997–1998 Asian financial crisis severely affected the ASEAN
economies. This put ASEAN-India relations on hold as ASEAN was no longer
seen as a dynamic economic model. The Rao gover nment was succeeded
by two short-lived gover nments under Prime Minister Deve Gowda and then
Prime Minister Kumar Gujral. Both administrations did not make significant
overtures to ASEAN as they were largely concer ned with domestic politics.
IN D
2-23.
Mr Goh re ce i vi n g Mr R a o a t th e I s ta n a .
Mr Rao w a s o n a th re e -d a y o ffi ci a l vi s i t
to Singap o re . L o o ki n g o n w a s Si n g a p o re ’s
protocol d i re cto r, Mr Mu s h a h i d A l i .
2-24.
The start o f a n e w b u s i n e s s re l a ti o n s h i p :
Singapor e a n d I n d i a n co mp a n i e s s i g n i n g
deals for 12 j o i n t ve n tu re p ro j e cts w o rth
more tha n $800 mi l l i o n a t th e cu l mi n a ti o n
of Mr Rao ’s th re e -d a y vi s i t to Si n g a p o re .
The deals w e re s i g n e d b y to p e xe cu ti ve s
of Singap o re a n d I n d i a n co mp a n i e s i n a
ceremon y w i tn e s s e d b y I n d i a n Mi n i s te r
of State fo r E xte rn a l A ffa i rs R . L . B h a ti a
and Mini s te r fo r Tra d e a n d I n d u s tr y a n d
C ommuni ca ti o n s Go h Ch e e We e .
( Source: T h e Stra i ts Ti me s ©
2-22.
57
2-23.
2-24.
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58
Vajpayee gover nment
The Vajpayee gover nment was keen to engage ASEAN. Firstly, Delhi had
growing concer ns about Islamic militant groups in Southeast Asia and their
links with South Asia. Secondly, China’s influence was rising, especially
in Myanmar. ASEAN responded to the Vajpayee gover nment’s overtures by
inviting Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the first ASEAN-India summit,
held in Phnom Penh on 5 November 2002. In retur n, the Vajpayee gover nment
made several offers to ASEAN: (a) an ASEAN/India Free Trade Agreement;
(b) daily flights by the ASEAN airlines to four metro cities (Delhi, Chennai,
Mumbai and Kolkata) and unrestricted air services to 18 secondary cities
in India; and (c) the conclusion of Extradition Treaties and Mutual Legal
Assistance agreements.
Bilateral cooperation with Singapore was scaled up significantly. When
Mr Vajpayee visited Singapore in April 2002, he offered to set up a Joint Study
Group to study the feasibility of a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation
Agreement (CECA) with Singapore. This would give Singapore a firstmover advantage, as it was the first time that India would be negotiating a
comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with another country. It was a gesture
by the Vajpayee gover nment to reciprocate Singapore’s helpfulness and
support to India in the past, such as during India’s bids to attain ASEAN
dialogue partner status, participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum, and
start the India/ASEAN summit. Secondly, he welcomed Singapore to engage
in joint military training on Indian soil. Thirdly, he suggested that the two
countries engage in better intelligence cooperation, as India and Singapore
shared a common concer n about the emergence of Islamic militant groups
2-25.
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Va j p a ye e a n d
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.
2-26.
Mr Vajpayee arriving in Singapore for a
three-day official visit at the invitation of
Mr Goh. Meeting him at Changi Airport VIP
complex Terminal 2 was David Lim, Acting
Minister for Information, Communications
and the Arts.
in Southeast Asia – such as the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), which had links with
Jihadist groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan. There was also a high level of
comfort in the interaction between the political leaders of the two countries.
Indeed, during his Singapore Lecture, Mr Vajpayee said that India had a
“Special relationship” with Singapore within ASEAN. He proposed that the two
countries carry out cultural exchanges and joint defence exercises, as well
as enhance bilateral cooperation in R&D, biotechnology, space technology
and tourism.
IN D
( Source: T h e Stra i ts Ti me s ©
2-27.
Foreign M i n i s te r S. Ja ya ku ma r g re e ti n g
Yashwant Si n h a , Mi n i s te r o f E xte rn a l
Affairs of I n d i a , a t th e Mi n i s tr y o f F o re i g n
Affairs, Si n g a p o re i n A u g u s t 2003.
Singapor e )
59
2-25.
2-26.
2-27.
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Manmohan Singh Gover nment
The change of gover nment in May 2004 did not create radical shifts in India’s
foreign policy or security policy. The Manmohan Singh gover nment placed
more emphasis on economics and technology. The strategic perspectives of
India’s Look East Policy were clearly spelt out for the first time, by the new
Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee. He pointed to the need “to maintain an
equitable strategic balance in the East Asian region”, which included the
Pacific. India declared that it would like to engage all players, both bilaterally
as well as collectively through institutions like the ASEAN Regional Forum. 21
With the support of Singapore and Indonesia, India was admitted to the
inaugural East Asian Summit (EAS) held in Kuala Lumpur in December 2005.
Singapore had strongly argued in favour of India’s admission as India would
provide the EAS with more diversity and political depth than it would have
if membership was limited to just the 10 ASEAN states, China, Japan and
Korea. The EAS was established “as a forum for dialogue on broad strategic,
political and economic issues of common interest” with a focus on “promoting
development,
financial
stability,
energy
security,
economic
integration
and growth as well as promoting deeper cultural understanding”. India’s
membership in EAS gave it a stake in shaping the regional architecture as
well as building a sense of community in the East Asian region.
As a founding member of the EAS, the Manmohan Singh gover nment proposed
the revival of the ancient Nalanda University as an EAS project. Located in
the Indian state of Bihar, Nalanda was a pre-eminent centre of research and
Buddhist lear ning between the fifth century AD and the twelfth century AD.
The idea was first mooted by Indian President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam during
his state visit to Singapore in February 2006. The proposal was followed up
by a concept paper by Foreign Minister of Singapore George Yeo. The paper
outlined the broad objectives and implementation aspects of the Nalanda
University project.
IN D
2-28.
Singapor e Pri me Mi n i s te r L e e Hs i e n
Loong an d I n d i a n Pri me Mi n i s te r
Manmohan Si n g h a t th e A SE A N-I n d i a
20th ann i ve rs a r y ce l e b ra ti o n s i n Ne w
Delhi, In d i a o n 20 De ce mb e r 2012.
( Source: T h e Stra i ts Ti me s © Si n g a p o re
Press H o l d i n g s L i mi te d . R e p ri n te d w i th
permissi o n . )
2-29.
Dr Manmo h a n Si n g h a n d A SE A N
leaders k i cki n g o ff th e A SE A N-I n d i a
C ommemo ra ti ve Su mmi t w h i ch ma rke d th e
20th ann i ve rs a r y o f A SE A N-I n d i a re l a ti o n s
on 20 De ce mb e r 2012. ( So u rce : Mi n i s tr y
of Foreig n A ffa i rs Si n g a p o re )
61
2-28.
2-29.
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62
COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT (CECA)
The CECA negotiations were formally launched by Prime Minister Goh Chok
Tong and Prime Minister Vajpayee during Mr Goh’s visit to India in April 2003.
However, the negotiations took much longer than expected. The delay was
partly due to a change of gover nment in India in May 2004.
Some sections of the Indian industry raised concer ns about possible abuse
of the rules of origin, allowing third country producers to dump their products
in the Indian market. However, business chambers like the Confederation of
Indian Industry (CII), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (FICCI) and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of
India (ASSOCHAM) were supportive of the CECA and Free Trade Agreements
(FTAs) in general as they could bring significant economic benefits for India.
In fact, the debate on the CECA mirrored the wider public debate among
Indian industries and academia, as well as within the gover nment itself, with
regard to the pace and extent of the economic reforms taking place in India.
The CECA was finally signed in Delhi on 29 June 2005, by Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. It came into force on
1 August 2005. Its main elements are:
•
immediate tariff elimination in trade in goods for 506 products, a
phased elimination or reduction list by 1 April 2009, and a negative
list of 6,551 products;
•
mutual recognition of technical standards for food products,
telecommunications equipment, electrical and electronic equipment;
•
a protocol amending the existing Avoidance of Double Taxation
Agreement, which grants Singapore the Mauritius status – that is,
exemption from Indian capital gains tax in certain areas, subject to
conditions;
•
an investment chapter which commits both sides to protection from
expropriation, and investment dispute settlement;
•
a chapter in trade in services which lists the schedule of service
sectors offered and the conditions attached;
•
facilitation in movement of natural persons such as short-term
service suppliers, and intra-corporate employees; and
•
cooperation in intellectual property rights, science and technology,
education and media.
IN D
2-30.
India’s President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
presenting the Jawaharlal Nehru Award
for International Understanding to Prime
Minister Goh Chok Tong on 10 July 2004.
Press Holdings Limited. Reprinted
with permission.)
63
2-30.
It was a landmark achievement for both countries. For Singapore, it was a
FTA with a major developing country. For India, it was the first comprehensive
FTA covering non-trade areas like investment and taxation. Speaking at the
Asian Development Bank’s annual meeting on 5 May 2006, Mr Manmohan
Singh announced that India was working on FTAs with China, Japan and
South Korea. Describing these FTAs as an important part of India’s Look East
policy, he said that such a “web of engagements may herald an eventual free
trade area in Asia covering all major Asian economies and possibly extending
to Australia and New Zealand”.
As a tribute to Mr Goh for his efforts in promoting India-Singapore relations,
the Indian Gover nment conferred him with the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for
Inter national Understanding on 9 July 2004. Some of the distinguished
statesmen who had previously received the Award were former UN Secretary
General U Thant, former South African President Nelson Mandela and former
Malaysian Premier Mahathir bin Mohamed.
This was Mr Goh’s fifth visit to India as the Prime Minister of Singapore.
In his speech at the conferment ceremony, President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
described Mr Goh as “a true friend of India, an outstanding leader of
Singapore, a symbol of resurgent Asia and a world statesman”.
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ENCOURAGING INSTITUTIONAL AND PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE RELATIONS
In J uly 2012 , M r L e e H s i e n L o o n g v isi t ed N ew Del hi t o hol d t al k s wi t h
M r M a no mo h a n S i n g h . Du ri n g t h e v i s i t , t wo agreement s were si gned :
•
a n a gre e m e n t t o c o o p e ra t e i n t he area of vocat i onal ed ucat i on,
unde r w h i c h S i n g a p o re c o m m i t ted t o hel p i ng t he Del hi st at e
g o v e r n m e n t s e t u p a s k i l l s t ra i n i ng cent re mod el l ed af t er t he
S ing ap o re I n s t i t u t e o f Te c h n i c a l Ed ucat i on (ITE);
•
a n a gre e m e n t t o e x t e n d a i r f o rc e j oi nt t rai ni ng i n t he K al ai k und a ai r
f o rc e s t a t i o n f o r a n o t h e r f i v e y e ars.
M r Le e a ddres s e d a b o u t 2 0 0 I n d i a n b u si nessmen, encouragi ng t hem t o set
up o pe r a t io n s i n t h e A S E A N re g i o n . H e al so i nvi t ed Ind i a t o j oi n A S EA N ’s
ne w Re g io nal C o m p re h e n s i v e E c o n o m i c P art nershi p (RC EP ).
A ne w India -S i n g a p o re P a rl i a m e n t a ry G roup was l aunched t o encourage more
pa r lia m e nt a r y e x c h a n g e s . T h i s w a s p a rt of ongoi ng eff ort s t o st rengt hen t he
bo nds o f fr ien d s h i p b e t w e e n t h e t w o count ri es – not onl y b et ween t he t wo
g o v e r nm e nt s , b u t a l s o b e t w e e n i n s t i t ut i ons and i nd i vi d ual s. S ome of t he
e xis t ing m e c h a n i s m s i n c l u d e :
IN D
•
t he In d i a - S i n g a p o re P a rt n e rs h i p Found at i on;
•
t he S i n g a p o re - I n d i a C E O f o ru m ;
•
t he In d i a B u s i n e s s F o ru m ; a n d
•
t he In d i a - S i n g a p o re S t ra t e g i c Di al ogue.
2-31.
Minister fo r F o re i g n A ffa i rs a n d Mi n i s te r
for Law K. Sh a n mu g a m a n d I n d i a ’s
Minister o f E xte rn a l A ffa i rs Sa l ma n
Khurshid i n Si n g a p o re o n 24 Octo b e r
2013.
2-32.
Mr Tarun Da s , Pre s i d e n t o f A s p e n
Institute I n d i a , ca l l i n g o n Mr Ye o o n
8 Septemb e r 2010.
2-33.
Foreign M i n i s te r Ge o rg e Ye o a n d
India’s E xte rn a l A ffa i rs Mi n i s te r Pra n a b
Mukherje e ch a i ri n g th e fi rs t Si n g a p o re India Join t Mi n i s te ri a l Co mmi tte e me e ti n g
in New De l h i , I n d i a i n A p ri l 2008.
2-34.
Mr Sitaram Ye ch u r y, me mb e r o f th e R a j ya
Sabha, th e u p p e r h o u s e o f th e Pa rl i a me n t
of India, ca l l i n g o n De p u ty Pri me Mi n i s te r
Professo r S. Ja ya ku ma r o n 26 Ju n e 2007.
Singapor e )
65
2-31.
2-32.
2-33.
2-34.
S IN
66
NARENDRA MODI GOVERNMENT
In M a y 2014 , t h e B h a ra t i y a J a n a t a P art y (BJ P ) swep t i nt o p ower as t he
f ir s t ma jo r it y g o v e r n m e n t s i n c e 1 9 8 4 und er t he l ead ershi p of f ormer
Guja r a t Chie f M i n i s t e r N a re n d ra M o d i . The BJ P ’s success st emmed f rom
it s pro mis e s o f g o o d g o v e r n a n c e , m a rk et - cent ri c ref orms, l ow- cost housi ng
a nd inf r a s t r u c t u ra l d e v e l o p m e n t . S i n ce t hen, S i ngap ore and Ind i a have
e xc ha ng e d a n u m b e r o f v i s i t s .
In June, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam met the new
gover nment in New Delhi. He also visited Hyderabad and Chennai, where he
met the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. The
focus of his visit was on identifying areas where the two countries’ interests
converged, and where Singapore could add value and deepen the bilateral
relationship. Mr Shanmugam also conveyed greetings from Mr Lee Hsien
Loong to Mr Modi.
T his wa s fo ll o w e d b y I n d i a ’s M i n i s t e r for Ex t er nal A ff ai rs S ushma S waraj ’s
v is it t o S inga p o re i n A u g u s t t o i n a ugurat e t he commemorat i ve event s
ma r k ing t he 5 0 t h y e a r o f d i p l o m a t i c re l at i ons b et ween S i ngap ore and Ind i a.
Building o n t h e m o m e n t u m g e n e ra t e d b y Mr S hanmugam’s vi si t , off i ci al s
we re dire c t ed t o i d e n t i f y c o n c re t e p roj ect s i n f i ve f ocal areas t o el evat e
re la t io ns t o a h i g h e r l e v e l :
•
scaling up investments and trade;
•
speeding up air and maritime connectivity and coastal development;
•
smart city development and urban rejuvenation (including water and
waste management);
•
skills development capacity building; and
•
state focus to strengthen business and cultural ties.
In September, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong visited India,
accompanied by S. Iswaran, Minister in Prime Minister’s Office and Second
Minister for Trade and Industry and Home Affairs; and Desmond Lee, Minister
2-35.
Emeritus Se n i o r Mi n i s te r Go h Ch o k To n g
calling on I n d i a n Pri me Mi n i s te r Na re n d ra
Modi in Ne w De l h i , I n d i a o n 10 Se p te mb e r
2014.
2-36.
Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs
and Law K. Shanmugam calling on Mr Modi
in India on 2 July 2014.
2-37.
India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma
Swaraj calling on Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong at the Istana on 16 August 2014.
of State for National Development. Mr Goh called on Mr Modi, whom he had
met several times when the latter was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. They
discussed how India could become a manufacturing hub and how Singapore
could help create smart cities. Mr Goh suggested that Singapore could help
to build two to three new cities, including the new capital city of Andhra
Pradesh. Outside of New Delhi, Mr Goh visited Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
and Madhya Pradesh, where he met the states’ Chief Ministers and discussed
possible areas of cooperation with them.
IN D
2-38.
Ms Swaraj calling on ESM Goh at the
Istana on 16 August 2014.
2-39.
Ms Swaraj and Mr Shanmugam at the
Ministr y of External Affairs in New Delhi,
India on 1 July 2014.
Singapor e )
2-35.
2-36.
2-37.
2-38.
67
2-39.
S IN
68
PRESIDENTIAL VISITS
President V. V. Giri’s V isit to Singapore
(14 to 17 September 1971)
President V. V. Giri’s three-day state visit was the first by an Indian President
to Singapore. It was, however, his second visit to Singapore. He had
passed through Singapore 50 years earlier as a law student on his way from
Ireland to India. The visit reinforced the bonds of friendship between India
and Singapore.
Mr and Mrs Giri called on President Benjamin Sheares and his wife, and
presented them with gifts that represented the rich culture and heritage of
India. They exchanged views on inter national and bilateral matters, as well
as India’s refugee problem from East Pakistan.
At the state banquet, Mr Sheares expressed the hope that India and Singapore
would seek out areas of cooperation, either through ASEAN or bilaterally. In
his response, Mr Giri said that Singapore and India had traded with each
other for centuries. Both countries were members of the non-aligned and
the Afro-Asian group. Mr Giri noted that “Like you [Singapore], we are a
country of many religions and many languages, and your success in building
a common identity for your people from various races is an effort which we
admire.” He added that India would play its part in the fresh surge towards
regional cooperation. 22
M r Gir i s pe n t m o re t h a n a n h o u r w i t h P ri me Mi ni st er Lee K uan Yew, who
2-40.
c a lle d o n hi m w i t h M i n i s t e r o f F o re i gn A ff ai rs Mr S . Raj arat nam. They
dis c us s e d how S i n g a p o re - I n d i a t i e s coul d b e st rengt hened i n a gl ob al l y
c ha ng ing s c e n a ri o .
M r Gir i’s it in e ra ry i n c l u d e d a t o u r o f J u rong Town C orp orat i on and t he P ort
o f S ing a po re A u t h o ri t y. S i n g a p o re ’s u rb an renewal and housi ng P rogrammes
g re a t ly im pre s s e d M r G i ri , a n d h e w as eager t o ad op t t hem i n hi s own
c o unt r y. Be in g a f o rm e r t ra d e u n i o n i s t , Mr Gi ri t ook great i nt erest i n asp ect s
o f wo r k life i n S i n g a p o re , s u c h a s i t s wage l evel s, accommod at i on and
o ppo r t unit ie s , a n d h o w t h e y c o m p a re d wi t h Ind i a and ot her count ri es. H e
a ls o v is it e d t h e S i n g a p o re M i n t a n d a n ammuni t i on and arms f act ory b ef ore
g o ing t o t he B i rd P a rk .
Mrs Giri had a separate programme; She visited the Jurong Town crèche
and attended a tea party by the Asian’s Women Association. At the Botanic
Gardens, she had an orchid named after her – the Sarasvathi Giri.
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2-41.
69
2-42.
2-43.
President Narayanan’s Visit to Singapore
(10 to 15 November 2000)
2-40.
S i n g a p o r e l e a d e r s , l ed by President
D r B e n j a mi n H e n r y S h eares and the First
L a d y, t u r n e d u p i n f u l l forc e to welc om e
I n d i a n P r e s i d e n t V. V. G iri and his wife.
Mr s . G i r i c l a s p e d h e r hands together
i n a n a ma s t e t o g r e e t D r S heares (not
i n p i c t u r e ) , wh i l e Mr s S heares (right)
a n d t h e I n d i a n H i g h C om m issioner Prem
B h a t i a ( p a r t i a l l y h i d d en) look ed on.
2-41.
Mr Lee with Mr Giri.
2-42.
Mrs Giri presenting Mrs Sheares with a
gift of Benares embroidered red silk at
the Istana. Looking on were Mr Giri,
Dr Sheares and Inche Othman Wok.
2-43.
Mr Lee and Mr Giri bidding each other
farewell.
(Source: The Straits Times ©
Singapore Press Holdings Limited.
Reprinted with permission.).
President K. R. Narayanan’s five-day state visit to Singapore took place
amidst growing economic and bilateral ties between Singapore and India. He
was accompanied by Mrs Usha Narayanan, Indian Minister for Culture and
Medicine Ananth Kumar, four Members of the Parliament and other senior
Indian officials.
The visit was marked by the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs):
•
to set up a task force to expand Singapore-India trade and
cooperation in the economic and financial sectors;
•
that for a period of ten years, the Archaeological Survey of India
would lend museum artefacts to the Singapore Asian Civilisations
Museum for display;
•
to carry out the third Singapore-India Executive Programme 2000–
2002, which would enhance cooperation in heritage and the arts; and
•
that the Singapore Information Technology Federation and the Indian
National Association of Software and Service Companies exchange
information and facilitate joint ventures.
S IN
Mr Narayanan presented Singapore
with three priceless artefacts on
a ten-year loan from the Indian
Archaeological Survey. Singapore
became the first country to be loaned
such historical treasures, which went
on display at the Asian Civilisations
Museum (ACM). The artefacts
dated back to the tenth and twelfth
centuries. The sculptures depicted
a dancing Lord Shiva, the elephantfaced deity Lord Ganesha, and Yogini,
a ten-armed mother goddess
seated on a two-tiered pedestal.
a.
a.
T h e s c u l p t u r e o f a d anc ing Lord S hiva.
b.
E l e p h a n t - f a c e d d e i ty, Lord G anesha.
c.
Yo g i n i , t e n - a r me d m other goddess, seated
o n a t wo - t i e r p e d e stal.
( S o u r c e : A s i a n C i v i lisations M useum .)
b.
c.
71
2-44.
2-46.
2-45.
2-47.
At the state banquet, President S. R. Nathan said that the world was
going through major strategic shifts, but that “whatever new equilibrium or
geopolitical balance eventually emerges, we believe that India will be an
important player. India’s strategic importance will be of significance to us in
Southeast Asia”.
2-44.
Mr G o h me e t i n g Mr Narayanan and
h i s d e l e g a t i o n a t t h e Istana.
In response, Mr Narayanan said that Singapore and India were linked by
history and geography. He noted that bilateral cooperation between the
2-45.
India will be the key player on the Asian
stage: the two Presidents giving each
other a toast at a state dinner.
two countries had gathered considerable momentum. India had always
looked to Singapore as the heart of Southeast Asia, and “we looked upon
our cooperation with Singapore as the gateway to larger cooperation with
2-46.
Delight as old friends meet again:
Mrs Narayanan giving Mrs Claire Chiang
a friendly pat during their meeting at the
SCWO headquarters in Waterloo Street.
Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific”. 23
2-47.
Mr Narayanan was given a warm welcome by
Mr Nathan at the Istana. Mr Narayanan was
in Singapore for a five-day visit in 2000.
interest in having more dialogues with the ASEAN countries.
Reprinted with permission.)
after her. Mrs Narayanan also visited the Singapore Council of Women’s
Mr Narayanan met Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Senior Minister Lee
Kuan Yew to discuss bilateral and regional issues. He expressed India’s
The visit included a tour of a Housing Board estate as well as the Singapore
Botanic Gardens, where Mrs Narayanan was presented with an orchid named
Organisation (SCWO).
S IN
72
President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s V isit to Singapore
(31 January to 3 February 2006)
A scientist and an aeronautical engineer by training, President A. P. J. Abdul
Kalam outlined two unique ideas during his tour of Singapore, Philippines and
the Republic of Korea: the creation of an ASEAN e-business platform and a world
knowledge platform to connect universities and research institutions through
a high-speed broadband network. 24 The latter would help institutions tap
into the convergence of nanoscience, nanotechnology, biotechnology and
info-communications technology. They would then be able to make significant
inroads into their research on areas such as energy storage, agricultural
productivity, water treatment and disease diagnosis.
He elaborated on those ideas during his meetings with President S. R. Nathan,
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Minister
Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and other Singapore leaders. As part of his visit,
Dr Kalam delivered the 27th Singapore Lecture titled “Evolution of Enlightened
Societies on Our Planet”.
In his state banquet speech, Mr Nathan cited India’s rising inter national
influence as the reason why Singapore supported India’s inclusion in the
East Asian Summit, as well as India’s bid for a permanent seat in the United
Nations Security Council. He said: “This is not out of sentiment, but because
of India’s growing inter national influence and contributions to the region’s
progress, security and stability.” 25
D ur ing his v i s i t , Dr Ka l a m v i s i t e d t h e N anyang Technol ogi cal U ni versi t y,
whe re he s pok e a b o u t s t a rt i n g n e w p a rt nershi p s i n sci ence and t echnol ogy.
He a ls o v is i t e d t h e B h a ra t i y a V i d y a Bhavan’s Int er nat i onal S chool and
int e r a c t e d wi t h t h e s t u d e n t s t h e re .
IN D
2-48.
Dr Kalam and Mr Nathan inspecting the
guard of honour at the Istana. Dr Kalam
was in Singapore to deliver the 27th
Singapore Lecture.
2-49.
Dr Kalam enjoying a lion dance
performance before his visit to Nanyang
Technology University (NTU) where he
spoke about how India and Singapore
could collaborate in the area of science
and technology. Dr Kalam also suggested
that the two countries team up to design
and build an ASEAN passenger jet.
73
2-48.
2-49.
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74
President S. R. Nathan’s V isit to India
(3 to 11 January 2003)
P re s ide nt S . R . N a t h a n m a d e t h e f i rs t - ever st at e vi si t t o Ind i a b y a P resi d ent
o f S ing a po re. Du ri n g h i s e i g h t - d a y v i s i t , Mr N at han was accomp ani ed b y
M r s Na t ha n, S e c o n d M i n i s t e r f o r F o rei gn A ff ai rs Lee Yock S uan, S eni or
M inis t e r o f S t a t e Kh a w B o o n Wa n , M emb ers of P arl i ament Ind erj i t S i ngh
a nd M o ha med M a l i k i O s m a n , a n d s e n i or Forei gn Mi ni st ry off i ci al s. The vi si t
c o v e re d Ne w De l h i , B a n g a l o re , H y d e ra b ad and C hennai .
Mr Nathan was warmly received by President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam at a
ceremonial welcome at the Presidential palace in New Delhi. During his
banquet speech, Dr Kalam said: “We are convinced that India’s destiny, like
that of Singapore, is closely intertwined with the future of Southeast Asia and
the Asia Pacific. As India looks to Singapore as a powerhouse of economic
development and moder nization, Singapore can find in India both the human
and natural resources and technological strengths to spur further growth and
the space to accommodate its economic globalization ambitions.” 26
In reply, Mr Nathan said: “We firmly believe that India is a key player in matters
of trade, economic development, stability and progress for the Southeast
Asian region.” He fully endorsed Prime Minister Vajpayee’s proposal for
an ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which would anchor India’s
position in ASEAN along with the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic
Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
At their meeting, Mr Vajpayee told Mr Nathan that India appreciated
Singapore’s role in developing India’s ties with ASEAN, as well as its
commitment to developing bilateral ties with India. 27
In Bangalore, Mr Nathan inaugurated the opening of the Explorer, the latest
building of the Inter national Technology Park Bangalore (ITPB) at the outskirts
of Bangalore. ITPB is jointly owned by Tata Industries, the Kar nataka state
gover nment and a Singaporean consortium led by Ascendas. It is an iconic
project which demonstrates the planning and management expertise of
Singaporean companies. 28
In Hyderabad, Mr Nathan visited the site where Ascendas was building the
Cyber Pearl, which is likewise an IT park. He also made a tour of the campus
of the new Indian School of Business. While in Chennai, he met the locallybased Singaporeans and visited the Indian Institute of Technology.
Speaking to jour nalists on the last day of his India visit, Mr Nathan summarised
his impression of India as follows: “India is beginning to be on the move.
There is strong commitment on the part of the political leadership both at the
federal and state levels to move the process.” 29
IN D
2-50.
Mr Nathan planting a tree at Infosys in
Bangalore (next to him was the company’s
Chairman Narayana Murthy). Mr Nathan
showed a keen interest in the origins of
the company and its training methods
during his visit to the software giant.
permission.)
75
S IN
76
ENGAGING THE INDIAN STATES
When Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong talked of a “mild India fever” during
his visit as the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day in January 1994, he
envisaged that Singapore companies should first engage Indian states
with which Singapore shared traditional cultural, linguistic and commercial
bonds. In 2000, he undertook a tour of three south Indian states, namely
Tamil Nadu, Kar nataka and Andhra Pradesh, during which he noted the spirit
of competition between the Chief Ministers and their eager ness to attract
foreign investment into their states.
Singapore companies were quick to seize these investment opportunities.
Three pioneer investment projects were particularly noteworthy. Starting
in 1993, Jurong Inter national (now Ascendas) led a Singapore and Indian
consortium to build a world class Information Technology Park in Bangalore,
with the support of the then Kar nataka Chief Minister Deve Gowda. It became
a flagship project which first established the brand name of Singapore in
India. Secondly, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa was keen to
establish a “Madras-Singapore Corridor” as a commercial link between Tamil
Nadu and Singapore. It was an ambitious plan involving the development of an
export processing zone, new ports, and using Madras to connect Singapore
to other Indian cities such as Bangalore and Hyderabad. Thirdly, the Port of
Singapore Authority (PSA) decided to build a new container terminal further
to the south at Tuticorin. Other Singapore companies soon followed and
made forays into other sectors such as logistics, warehousing, realty and
hospitality, which are still some of the dominant areas of Singapore business
engagement with the Indian states.
A more vigorous and targeted engagement with the Indian states began in the
mid-2000s. This was a response to the strong economic growth in India, as
well as several states’ efforts to initiate business-friendly policies by offering
incentives to attract foreign investment. The positive business environment
prompted the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Singapore
Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to undertake the first-ever joint
business mission to Tamil Nadu, Kar nataka and Maharashtra in 2006. Not
only did more Temasek-linked companies such as CapitaLand, Keppel Land
and SembCorp enter the Indian market, but Singapore SMEs also began to
set up operations in several Indian states.
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kar nataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi NCR and
Gujarat were the logical choices for economic engagement, especially
because their infrastructural needs matched Singapore’s niche competitive
IN D
77
advantage in areas such as in urbanisation, water recycling and management
and industrial parks. Broadly, the engagement process included business
missions led by Singapore Cabinet ministers and leaders - including Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong; Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong; Deputy
Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam; Senior Minister of State Balaji
Sadasivan; and Ministers Gan Kim Yong, K. Shanmugam, George Yeo, Vivian
Balakrishnan, and S. Iswaran. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
the Ministry of Trade and Industry and other Singapore economic agencies
stepped up their representations in Chennai and Mumbai.
Maharashtra, in particular Mumbai, continues to be a recipient of large
investments from Singapore. In fact, it receives almost a third of Singapore’s
investments into India. Maharashtra, as the wealthiest and most industrialised
state, contributes 15 per cent of the country’s industrial output. Mumbai,
India’s financial capital and home to top Indian business houses, is a natural
draw for Singapore companies. Temasek Holdings and the Gover nment
Investment Corporation (GIC) have set up offices in Mumbai. Singapore’s two
largest banks – the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) and the United
Overseas Bank (UOB) also have a presence in the vibrant and dynamic city of
12 million people. The Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) is planning to open
a representative office in Mumbai. Ascendas has built an IT Park in Pune,
and the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) Inter national was recently awarded
a contract worth Rs 7000 crore to build the fourth container terminal at
Mumbai’s port JNPT4.
Mumbai-based companies, such as Tata and Sons, have a long-established
presence in Singapore. Newer ones are now using Singapore to inter nationalise
their operations for fund sourcing, technical know-how or for trade. Singapore
companies and organisations have also been leveraging on the financial
experience and business acumen of Mumbai’s business leaders such as Mr
Ratan Tata, Mr Anand Mahindra and Mr Deepak Parekh by appointing them to
their inter national advisory boards. As part of the on-going effort to develop
the ties between Singapore and Maharashtra through institutional linkages,
a Singapore-Maharashtra Joint Working Group was established when Mr Goh
Chok Tong visited in 2011. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan was keen to see
greater bilateral cooperation, such as study visits to Singapore for educators
and town planners. As part of the bilateral cooperation in inter national
arbitration, the Singapore Inter national Arbitration Centre opened its first
overseas office in Mumbai in April 2013.
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78
Tamil Nadu is among the Indian states which share close cultural and linguistic
affinities with Singapore. The majority of ethnic Indians in Singapore are
Tamils, and Tamil is one of Singapore’s four official languages. Chennai’s
growth as a major manufacturing hub over the last decade has attracted
major multinational companies, including many with operations in Singapore.
Many Singapore companies are drawn to Tamil Nadu because of its probusiness administration and its high ranking in the Multidimensional Index.
Tamil Nadu is now home to the largest number of Singapore companies
based in India, and is Singapore’s third-largest investment destination in
India. Singapore’s diverse business presence there includes real estate, IT
parks, ports, warehousing, manufacturing, hospitality, services, consultancy
and education.
Although it was eventually determined that the Madras-Singapore Corridor
project could not be realised, Singapore decided in mid-2000 to build a
Singapore-India Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near Chennai. The SEZ was
intended to create an enabling business environment for foreign investors,
particularly Japanese investors. However, the SEZ proposal was aborted due
to land acquisition issues. In 2013, Singapore’s Ascendas unveiled another
iconic integrated township, OneHub Chennai which will span 1,450 acres
of land, and is expected to be completed between 2019 and 2022. On his
first visit there, an Indian official described it as a “little Singapore” in Tamil
Nadu. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who officiated at the opening of Ascendas’
Information Technology Park in 2004, helped bring the OneHub Chennai
project to fruition. Meanwhile, PSA Inter national has constructed a state-ofthe-art container freight terminal at the Chennai Port.
Singapore’s
provided
by
involvement
Bangalore’s
with
Kar nataka
bourgeoning
IT
was
bor n
industry.
of
an
When
opportunity
the
industry
was still nascent, a Singapore consortium led by Jurong Inter national
(the precursor to Ascendas) decided to build what is now Inter national
Technology Park Bangalore (ITPB) in partnership with the Tata Group. The
idea was first conceived by Prime Minister Goh and Prime Minister Rao
at their meeting during the Non-Aligned Summit in Jakarta in September
1992. It was pursued vigorously by former Singapore Economic Development
Board (EDB) Chairman Philip Yeo and former Tata Group Chairman Ratan
Tata. ITPB is the pride of the Singapore business presence in India. It now
houses a large shopping mall and a hotel. Bangalore continues to attract
Singapore companies from the real estate, IT, service and hospitality sectors.
Two airline service companies from Singapore, SATS and ST-Airport Services,
have also set up operations at the new Bengaluru Airport.
IN D
2-51.
Senior Mi n i s te r o f Sta te fo r F o re i g n
Affairs Dr B a l a j i Sa d a s i va n a t th e
ceremon y w h i ch ma rke d th e u p g ra d i n g
of the Si n g a p o re Co n s u l a te i n Ch e n n a i ,
Tamil Na d u to Co n s u l a te -Ge n e ra l .
Dr Balaji w a s i n Ch e n n a i fro m 7 to 9
Januar y 2006. ( So u rce : Mi n i s tr y o f
Foreign A ffa i rs Si n g a p o re )
79
2-51.
S IN
80
2-52.
2-53.
2-54.
Andhra Pradesh is a leading destination for Singapore business in the real
2-52.
Visit by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister
Chandrababu Naidu to ITE College Central
@Ang Mo Kio on 13 November 2014
(Source: Institute of Technical Education,
Singapore)
estate, service, IT park, and infrastructure sectors. SembCorp’s thermal power
project in Krishnapatnam, which is expected to be commissioned in 2015, will
be Singapore’s largest investment in the power sector. Andhra leaders have
long been enthusiastic about collaboration with Singapore, beginning with
Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu in late 1990s. When Mr Naidu first visited
Singapore in May 1997, he arranged for a large delegation of state legislators
to undertake study tours to Singapore. Chief Minister Y. S. R. Reddy even
designated Industry Minister Geeta Reddy the “Minister for Singapore Affairs”,
so that there would be a single point person to deal with Singapore.
Gujarat, which has traditional ties with Singapore through the trading Gujarati
community, is a new frontier for Singapore’s economic engagement. Political
ties with Singapore began with a visit from Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to
Ahmedabad in January 2006, which was followed by a visit by Chief Minister
Narendra Modi to Singapore to promote economic ties.
Subsequent interactions have broadened the scope of bilateral collaboration.
Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam, Second Trade and Industry Minister S.
Iswaran and members of the Singapore chambers of business participated in
IN D
2-53 - 2-54.
Second Minister for Trade and Industr y
S. Iswaran calling on Gujarat Chief
Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar
on 29 Januar y 2014. Mr Iswaran
was accompanied by Singapore High
Commissioner to India Lim Thuan Kuan
and Consul General in Mumbai Ajit Singh.
( Source: Ajit Singh)
2-55.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata
Banerjee calling on Prime Minister Lee
Hsien Loong at the Istana on 19 August
2014. Ms Banerjee was on an official visit
to Singapore from 18 to 22 August 2014.
2-56.
Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo
meeting Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister
Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the state
capital, Bhopal. They discussed ways to
boost economic ties and explore business
opportunities.
Singapor e )
81
the “Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Meet”. SembCorp is already involved
in an oil refinery project and Hyflux is developing a seawater desalination
plant in Dahez SEZ on the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. Hyflux’s other
water project in Surat was commissioned in early 2014 by Chief Minister
Narendra Modi (now India’s Prime Minister). More Singapore companies
see the potential in Gujarat’s petroleum, infrastructure and manufacturing
sectors. In 2015, Singapore will be a partner country at “Vibrant Gujarat”,
which bring even more economic and political links between Singapore and
the progressive state.
As developments in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kar nataka, Tamil Nadu
and Gujarat have laid the broad foundation for political, economic and
people-to-people engagement between Singapore and India, Singapore will
continue to develop ties beyond these traditional partners and explore “new
frontiers” in India.
2-55.
2-56.
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82
2-58.
2-57.
2-59.
SINGAPORE-INDIA DEFENCE COOPERATION
Singapore’s Minister for Defence RADM (NS) Teo Chee Hean and India’s Minister
of Defence George Fernandes signed the Defence Cooperation Agreement
(DCA) on 13 October 2003 in New Delhi, formalising the links between the
two countries in the area of defence. Singapore and India had already been
enjoying good defence ties prior to the signing of the DCA; for example, the
navies of the two countries had been sharing information concerning maritime
security and conducting joint naval exercises since the mid-1990s.
Building on this foundation, the inaugural India-Singapore Defence Policy
Dialogue (DPD) was held in Singapore on 22 March 2004 between the two
Ministries of Defence, chaired by Singapore Permanent Secretary for Defence
Peter Ho and Indian Defence Secretary Ajay Prasad. The establishment of the
DPD meant that there was now a regular forum for both countries to discuss
defence cooperation as well as regional defence and security issues.
The first DPD was particularly significant as it paved the way for Singapore
to use India’s territory to train its air force and army personnel. Based on
2-60.
the preliminary agreement allowing Singapore to conduct joint training
exercises in India, which was the first such arrangement that India had ever
worked out with any country, Singapore and India later signed Air Force and
Army Bilateral Agreements (BA) for the conduct of joint military training and
exercises in India between the air forces and armies respectively.
Since then, Singapore and India have maintained strong ties in the area of defence
and beyond. In 2012 and 2013, the two BAs regarding air force and army training
were renewed. With the DCA and DPD forming the foundation of official defence
ties, Singapore and India’s cooperation in this area will continue to grow.
IN D
2-61.
83
WORLD-CLASS SKILLS CENTRE IN NEW DELHI
I n J ul y 2012, t he S i ngap ore Mi ni st ry of Ed ucat i on (MOE) and the Indian
M i ni st ry
of
Lab our
and
Emp l oyment
concl ud ed
a
Gover nment-to-
G over nment (G- t o- G) Memorand um of U nd erst and i ng (M OU) on Vocational
E ducat i on and S k i l l s Devel op ment . The t wo gover nments agreed to create
2-57.
Singapore Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean
meeting with Indian Minister of Home
Affairs Shivraj Patil on 15 March 2005.
2-58.
India’s Defence Secretar y Vijay Singh and
Permanent Secretar y for Defence Chiang
Chie Foo exchanging copies of the signed
Air Force Bilateral Agreement at the 4th
India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue in
India on 10 October 2007.
i n st i t ut i onal d i al ogue and a j oi nt work i ng group i n t he field of vocational
e ducat i on and sk i l l s d evel op ment . U nd er t hi s MO U , t he Singapore Institute
o f Techni cal Ed ucat i on (ITE) and t he Del hi S t at e Gover nment’s Depar tment
o f Trai ni ng and Techni cal Ed ucat i on (DTTE) si gned a secondar y MOU to
e s t ab l i sh a Worl d C l ass S k i l l s C ent re (WC S C ) i n Del hi that would replicate
t h e S i ngap ore ITE mod el .
The WCSC project is co-funded by the Temasek Foundation of Singapore. The
vision of the WCSC is to impart world-class training and training technologies
2-59.
Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army
General Joginder Jaswant Singh calling on
Acting Minister of Defence and Minister of
Manpower Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Singapore
Ministr y of Defence in 2006.
to the youth of India, giving them the skills to meet the demands of industries
2-60.
Minister for Education and Second
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen with
SAF troops at Exercise Agni Warrior on
24 November 2008.
On 19 September 2013, the Delhi Gover nment held an inauguration ceremony
2-61.
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Indian
Army tanks participating in Exercise Bold
Kurukshetra on 20 March 2003.
in the two Programmes. The ceremony was officiated by then Delhi Chief
(Source: Ministr y of Defence Singapore)
receive positive commitments from the Indian and Delhi gover nments.
and commercial organisations. The G-to-G MOU also paved the way for future
collaboration projects, including the proposed training of Indian Industrial
Training Institute (ITI) principals.
for the first two WCSC Programmes. The Programmes provided training
in Retail Services and Hospitality Operations, and were conducted at the
temporary campus of ITI Vivek Vihar. A total of 210 students were enrolled
Minister Sheila Dikshit and MOE Deputy Secretary of Policy Ng Cher Pong.
There has been steady progress on the WCSC project, and it continues to
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THE NALANDA UNIVERSITY PROJECT
The Nalanda University Project was the brainchild of former Indian President
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who first mooted the idea during his state visit to Singapore
in January 2006. Foreign Minister George Yeo subsequently wrote a concept
paper, in which he highlighted the Nalanda University Project as a timely initiative
given Asia’s re-emergence and the growing interest in the origins of the Asian
civilisation. This paper was conveyed to the Indian government. An international
symposium of scholars held in Singapore in November 2006 concluded that “the
establishment of the Nalanda University and the development of Buddhist sites
would serve as icons of the Asian Renaissance”.
Nalanda is located in the Indian state of Bihar, which was once visited by the
Buddha. From the fifth century AD until its destruction in the twelfth century
AD, Nalanda was a pre-eminent centre of research and Buddhist lear ning.
The Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang was said to have visited and stayed at
Nalanda in the seventh century.
To conceptualise the revival of the Nalanda University, the Indian gover nment
established the Nalanda Mentors Group (NMG). The NMG comprises experts
and eminent persons from the educational field across the globe. It is headed
by Nobel Laureate Professor Amartya Sen, and members include Mr George
Yeo and Professor Wang Gungwu from the Institute of Southeast Asian
Studies at the National University of Singapore.
The Nalanda University Bill, passed in August 2010 by both houses of the Indian
Parliament (namely, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha), established Nalanda
University as an international university. With the passage of the Bill, the NMG
morphed into the Nalanda University Governing Board (GB). The board meets
annually, and the most recent meeting was held in February 2014 in Patna, India.
The new Nalanda University will be built 12km from the site of the ancient
University on a 182-hectare plot near Patna, the capital of Bihar. Construction was
scheduled to begin in 2014. Upon its completion in 2020, the Nalanda University
aims to have an annual intake of 2,500 Indian and international graduate students
pursuing intellectual, philosophical, historical and spiritual studies.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam visited Nalanda in July
2013 to see its progress first-hand and to reaffirm Singapore’s support for the
project. Singapore has been supportive of the initiative from its conception
as it believes that Nalanda University will strengthen the links between
India and the Far East. In this vein, an Intergover nmental Agreement on the
Establishment of Nalanda was signed by the member states on the sidelines
2-62.
An international symposium titled
“Nalanda: Buddhist Cultural Links between
Southern and Eastern Asia” was held in
Singapore in 2006.
2-63 - 2-64.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law
K. Shanmugam at the Nalanda site.
of the 8th East Asia Summit in Brunei Darussalam in October 2013.
While the progress of building the University has been slow, two schools, namely,
the School of Historical Studies and the School of Ecology and Environment
Studies, were scheduled to start in September 2014 at a temporary campus in
Rajgir, close to the proposed site of the University.
IN D
2-65.
Mr Shanmugam at the Rajgir site with
the Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University,
Dr Gopa Sabharwal.
Singapor e )
85
2-62.
2-65.
2-63.
2-64.
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86
2-66.
2-66.
Permanent Secretar y Peter Chan
(second from left) with a delegation
to India in 1984.
2-67.
High Commissioner of Singapore to India
Maurice Baker and Minister of Commerce
Sheri Dinesh Singh at the Singapore
National Day Reception in New Delhi, India
on 9 August 1968.
2-68.
Lunch hosted by Mr Yeo for the Deputy
Chairman of the Planning Community of
India, Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and
Indian High Commisioner, Mr Jaishankar,
at the Singapore Cricket Club in 2008.
2-69 - 2-70.
Cultural evening to inaugurate
commerative events celebrating the
50th anniversar y of diplomatic relations
between Singapore and India.
( S o u r c e : Mi n i s t r y o f Foreign Affairs
Singapore)
IN D
2-67.
2-68.
87
2-69.
2-70.
S IN
88
2-71.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong with
Mrs Sonia Gandhi during his visit to
India in 2006.
2-72.
Meeting between Foreign Minister George
Yeo and Indian National Congress Member
of Parliament Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi,
India in 2007.
(Source: Ministr y of Foreign Affairs
Singapore.)
2-73.
7th India-Singapore Strategic Dialogue
organised by the Institute of South Asian
Studies in Singapore in 2014. (Source:
Institute of South Asian Studies)
2-71.
2-72.
2-74
Meeting between Foreign Minister
K. Shanmugam and Indian Minister of
Finance and Corporate Affairs Arun Jaitley,
New Delhi, India in 2014.
2-75.
ESM Goh, Minister in Prime Minister’s
Office and Second Minister for
Trade and Industry and Home Affairs
S. Iswaran, Minister of State for National
Development Desmond Lee, Singapore High
Commissioner in New Delhi Lim Thuan
Kuan, with former PM Dr Manmohan Singh
in New Delhi, India on 10 September 2014.
2-76.
Indian Defence Minister A. K. Antony
calling on Deputy Prime Minister Professor
S. Jayakumar during his visit to Singapore
in 2007.
2-73.
2-77.
Dinner hosted by Mr Yeo for Mr L. K.
Advani, leader of the BJP opposition party
in the Indian Parliament on 26 July 2007.
(Source: Ministr y of Foreign Affairs
Singapore)
2-78.
Mr Advani calling on Minister Mentor Lee
Kuan Yew at the Istana. He was in Singapore
to attend the 14th International Sindhi
Sammelan, a networking conference for
the Sindhi diaspora in 2007. (Source: The
Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings
Limited. Reprinted with permission.)
IN D
2-74.
2-75.
2-76.
89
2-77.
2-78.
S IN
ECONOMIC AND
TRADE REL ATIONS
M I LD I N DIA F E V E R
92
TR A D E A N D IN V E S T M E N T
99
S I N GA P O RE C O M PA N IE S IN I N DI A
103
I N DI A N CO M PA N IE S IN S IN G A P O R E
124
3
92
CH APTER T HREE: ECONOM I C AND TRADE REL ATI ONS
“I shall visit India
this year, and bring
businessmen along
me. I hope to spark
mild India Fever.”
Pr ime Minister G o h C ho k To ng.
later
some
with
off a
MILD INDIA FEVER
Just as political relations between Singapore and India saw a rapid pace of
change during the past two decades, so did trade and investment flows. Until
economic reforms started during the Narasimha Rao government in 1991,
Singapore’s investment in India was negligible and accounted for less than 1 per
cent of India’s investment approvals. In 1990, total trade, including re-exports,
between India and Singapore amounted to S$2.67 billion. Oil products made
up 40 per cent of Singapore’s domestic exports to India. By 2013, SingaporeIndia total trade reached S$25.4 billion, an almost tenfold increase.
To get a sense of the economic liberalisation drives that had been launched by
the Narasimha Rao government in 1991, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Trade and Industry Lee Hsien Loong led a 19-member official and business
delegation to Delhi and Mumbai in March the following year. The delegates
met top Indian industrialists from the various Indian chambers of commerce
and industry. While in New Delhi, Mr Lee called on Prime Minister Rao and met
Finance Minister Manmohan Singh as well as Minister of State for Commerce
P. Chidambaram. At the end of his visit to Delhi, he told the press that while
the reforms were “very courageous”, it would take years before India could
reap the benefits. It was essential for the Indian government to establish
confidence with Indian and international businessmen. 1
The mild “India Fever” had its origin in a bilateral meeting between then
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Mr Rao on 5 September 1992 during
the Non-Aligned Summit in Jakarta. They discussed matters such as the
recruitment of trained and skilled indian workers for projects in Singapore
and elsewhere, the creation of an industrial zone in India for Singapore
businessmen, defence training and regular displays of Indian artwork and
artefacts in Singapore.
To follow up on these points of discussion and to explore further areas of
cooperation between the two countries, Minister for Information and the Arts
George Yeo led a high-level business delegation on a 12-day extensive tour
of several Indian cities from 4 to 15 February 1993. He was accompanied
by Senior Minister of State Lim Boon Heng, Members of Parliament
K. Shanmugam and Michael Lim, as well as Economic Development Board
managing director Tan Chin Nam. The business delegation members included
Mr Murli Kawalram Chanrai, Chairman of Kawalram Chanrai Group, Mr
A. Jumabhoy, Chairman of Scotts Holdings, Mr Tong Chong Heong, Executive
Vice-President of the Development Bank of Singapore, Mr Ashok Melwani,
CEO of M. B. Melwani and Mr Johnny Moo, Group Managing director of CSA
Holdings. Ambassador Tommy Koh, Chairman of the National Arts Council,
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93
was also part of the delegation as Mr George Yeo and his counterpart, Human
Resources Minister Arjun Singh, were to sign a Memorandum of Understanding
on Arts and Culture during the visit.
In Delhi, Mr Yeo called on Mr Rao, conveying a letter from Prime Minister Goh.
The other cities the delegation visited were Agra, Jaipur, Bombay, Bangalore,
Mysore and Madras.
A number of project proposals were put forward to the delegation during the
visit. For example, five specific Joint Ventures were suggested by the Indian
side during the visit to the state of Maharashtra:
•
an inter national financial and business centre;
•
an offshore freeway;
•
a knitwear and leather complex;
•
a technology park near the port in southwest Bombay; and
•
shipbreaking facilities. 2
In Madras, the delegation visited Shollinganallur at the outskirts of Madras to
see the 800-hectare site which had been earmarked for the Madras Corridor,
a special industrial zone to cater for export-oriented industries, investments
in manufacturing and infrastructural development from abroad. The Madras
Corridor concept was first mooted by the Indian gover nment as far back as
1988. In fact, the World Bank had already sanctioned a loan to the Tamil
Nadu state gover nment to drain and fill land on a 600-ha site for an industrial
park. 3 Singapore’s land and labour constraints made the Madras Corridor
particularly appealing. The Madras Corridor could house some of Singapore’s
manufacturing units and become a gateway for Singapore’s exports. 4 However,
despite political support from the Narasimha Rao gover nment, the MadrasSingapore Corridor failed to take off. Singapore later became concer ned
about the costs of draining and filling the swamp land, and doubted whether
the costs and benefits of the project would compare favourably with other
projects elsewhere, such as in Indonesia.
At the conclusion of the visit, the delegation was upbeat about India, but it
was also more aware of the problems and challenges which investors had to
face in India, namely
•
under-developed infrastructure;
•
inadequate power supply;
•
poor telecommunications links; and
•
restrictive labour practices. 5
“As India looks to Singapore
as
a
powerhouse
of
economic development and
modernisation, Singapore
can find in India both
the human and natural
resources and technological
strengths to spur further
growth and the space to
accommodate its economic
globalisation ambitions.”
P r esi d en t A . P. J . Ab d u l Kal am .
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THE INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY PARK AT BANGALORE (ITPB)
At their meeting in Jakarta in September 1992, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong
and Prime Minister Narasimha Rao discussed the possibility of Singapore
building an inter national airport and an industrial park in India. While
Singapore eventually gave up the Bangalore inter national airport project, the
Inter national Technology Park Bangalore (ITPB) project took off quickly.
In July 1993, Mr Philip Yeo, Chairman of the Economic Development Board,
3-1.
flew to Bangalore to study the feasibility of setting up an industrial park
there. He met the Tata Consultancy management and representatives of the
state gover nment of Kar nataka. Because of his personal friendship with Mr
Philip Yeo, Mr Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group, offered Singapore a
piece of Tata-owned land just outside Bangalore city for the project. As extra
land was required from the Kar nataka state gover nment, a consortium for the
Inter national Technology Park Bangalore (ITPB) project was formed. It was
decided that the Kar nataka state gover nment would hold a 20 per cent stake
while Tata Consultancy and a Singapore consortium would each hold 40 per
3-2.
cent. The Singapore consortium included Jurong Town Corporation (now
named JTC Corporation), L & M Group, RSP Architects Planners & Engineers,
Sembawang Construction, Singapore Technology Industries Corporation, and
3-1 - 3-2.
Park open i n g ce re mo n y i n Ja n u a r y 2000.
Parameswara Holdings (an investment arm of the Singapore Indian Chamber
of Commerce and Industry, or SICCI).
Design and planning were completed within a remarkably short time, and the
foundation stone was officially laid by Prime Minister Goh during his visit
3-3.
Internatio n a l Te ch Pa rk B a n g a l o re ( I T PB )
3-4.
Groundbr e a ki n g ce re mo n y o f Ph a s e 1 A ,
1996.
to India in January 1994 as the chief guest of the Indian gover nment at the
Republic Day Parade. The ITPB was to be constructed on a 23.4 hectare plot,
and was estimated to cost about S$250 million. The first phase was scheduled
3-5.
“First po u r” o f co n cre te to ma rk th e
construc ti o n o f th e I n ve n to r B u i l d i n g a t
ITPB in J a n u a r y 2004.
for completion by the second quarter of 1996. By that time, the project had
already attracted several MNCs such as AT&T, IBM and Texas Instruments.
The success story of the ITPB showed that “commercial viability, reputed
Indian partners, and active involvement of the state gover nment have been
the key ingredients for the speed and smoothness with which implementation
has occurred.” 6
The ITPB was officially opened by Mr Goh in January 2000. It became an
iconic flagship project which established the brand name of Singapore in India
and demonstrated the planning and management capabilities of Singapore
companies. It became the precursor of successive projects by Ascendas (the
successor of the Jurong Town Corporation), such as the CyberPearl Park in
Hyderabad and the Inter national Tech Park and CyberVale in Chennai.
IN D
3-6.
Mr Lee K u a n Ye w ’s vi s i t to I T PB i n
Nov embe r 2005.
3-7.
Opening ce re mo n y o f th e I n ve n to r
Building i n Octo b e r 2004.
3-8.
ITPB’s 10 th a n n i ve rs a r y ce l e b ra ti o n s
and open i n g ce re mo n y o f th e Na vi g a to r
Building i n A p ri l 2007.
3-9.
Official o p e n i n g o f th e E xp l o re r B u i l d i n g
in Januar y 2003.
( Source: A s ce n d a s )
95
3-3.
3-4.
3-5.
3-6.
3-7.
3-8.
3-9.
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96
3-10.
PARAMESWARA HOLDINGS LTD (PHL)
Soon after the trade delegation led by Mr George Yeo retur ned to Singapore
in February 1993, a steering committee of the Singapore Indian Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (SICCI), led by its Vice Chairman Shabbir Hassanbhai,
was set up to work out how to spearhead a strategic business and investment
thrust into India. Thus, Parameswara Holdings Ltd. (PHL) was formed with
a subscription capital of S$25 million. Incorporated on 26 May 1993, the
company acted as the investment arm of the SICCI. So as not to be seen as
a company exclusively reserved for Indian Singaporeans, PHL’s shareholders
included Indian and non-Indian Singaporeans, corporations, businessmen,
professionals and individuals from all walks of life. The first PHL chairman
was Mr M. K. Chanrai, then chairman of SICCI. He was succeeded by Mr
S. Dhanabalan, a former cabinet minister of Singapore, in April 1994.
Shortly afterwards, PHL took up equity stakes in several projects in India:
IN D
•
Bangalore Information Technology Park;
•
Gateway Distriparks Ltd;
•
Gurgaon Commercial Property, Haryana;
•
Technology Park Gurgaon, Haryana;
•
Punjab Venture Capital Fund;
•
Bangalore Inter national Airport feasibility study; and
•
Mercantile Housing Finance Limited, Madras.
3-10.
A delegati o n l e d b y Pa ra me s w a ra Ho l d ings v isit i n g th e s ta te o f Ka rn a ta ka a n d
meeting w i th fo rme r Ch i e f Mi n i s te r H. D.
Dev e Gow d a , Ju l y 1998.
3-11 - 3-12.
Flagging o ff th e fi rs t tra i n a t th e Ga rh i
H arsaru co n ta i n e r fre i g h t s ta ti o n , Ma y
2006.
3-13.
Listing o f Ga te w a y Di s tri p a rks L i mi te d
( GDL) at th e B o mb a y Sto ck E xch a n g e
on 28 Ma rch 2005.
( Source: Sh a b b i r Ha s s a n b h a i )
97
3-11.
3-12.
3-13.
A shining example of PHL’s investment projects was the Gateway Distriparks
Limited (GDL). Incorporated in April 1994, it was promoted by a consortium
of Singapore companies (including Windmill Inter national, Thakral Corp and
Parameswara Holdings) which together owned 70 per cent of the company.
Its Indian partner was Newsprint Trading and Sales Corp. GDL’s major
services included general and bonded warehousing, container yard and
depot operations, and container repairs and refurbishment. It also controlled
the first privately-owned container freight station which was licensed by
the Indian Customs to run a buffer yard, allowing Customs inspection of
containers in the distripark. 7
By 2005, GDL had become the benchmark in the container freight station
industry in India. Venturing into the cold chain supply sector in 2006, GDL
acquired a majority stake in a Mitsubishi unit which became known as
Snowman Logistics Ltd. The following year, GDL obtained a license to enter
into the railroad freight business. This opened a new vista for GDL and its
geographical outreach into the hinterland of India, and made GDL a full intermodal service provider in India. 8
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98
However, Parameswara’s other investment projects were not as promising.
By the time the Narasimha Rao gover nment completed its term in May 1996,
the economic reforms Programme had lost its momentum. In August 1998,
Parameswara’s chairman S. Dhanabalan told shareholders that as liberalisation
and growth in India had not proceeded as expected, the company had to
reassess its situation. As a result, the shareholders were wary of putting
more money into the company. 9
Despite the Narasimha Rao gover nment’s economic reforms Programme,
bureaucracy and the resistance of trade unions and industries often stood
in the way of bilateral collaboration. The idea, first mooted in 1994, for a
joint venture between Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Tata group to set
up a domestic airline failed to take off because of protracted negotiations
over the licensing process as well as trade union and political opposition
to opening the domestic aviation sector to foreign investment. In 2000 SIA
and the Tata group made a joint bid for a 40 per cent stake in Air India; this
initiative was similarly aborted.
“Today, as a businessman, I
see global companies drawn to
India in much the same way I
was as a boy. They are dazzled
by the promise of adventure and
extraordinary opportunity. They are
intoxicated, even overwhelmed.
But as I learned, even as a young
boy in India, appearances can
be deceiving. For outsiders,
there is always a hint of mystery.
Sh abb ir Hassanbha i
Vi ce Chai rman, Sin g a p o r e B u s in e s s F e d e r a t io n
IN D
Even if you live and work there,
you can never be entirely sure
you understand it. It is best to
assume that you do not. If you
come to India with some grand,
predetermined strategy or master
plan, prepare to be distracted,
deterred and even demoralized.
The key to this success has been
learning to see the Indian market
as it is, not as we wished it to be.”
99
TRADE AND INVESTMENT
India’s trade with Singapore has expanded rapidly since the beginning of the
twenty-first century. This was due to a combination of enabling factors, including
the onset of a robust period of economic expansion and high economic growth
for the Indian economy; greater engagement of Singapore and Southeast Asia
through India’s Look East Policy (LEP); and the signing of the Comprehensive
Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between India and Singapore on the
29 May 2005. The CECA was the first of such comprehensive trade agreements
signed by India, and it has subsequently served as a benchmark for India’s
other trade and economic partnership agreements. The CECA has contributed
significantly to the expansion of trade and business ties between India and
Singapore over the years. It is in no small part due to the CECA that Singapore
is now the India’s tenth largest trade partner in the world, and its largest trade
partner in Southeast Asia. Similarly, India has become Singapore’s eleventh
largest trade partner.
The pace of growth in bilateral trade has indeed been remarkable. In just
10 years, from 2003 to 2013, bilateral trade between India and Singapore
increased a massive fivefold from about S$5 billion to S$25 billion, with an
average annual growth rate of 22 per cent. During this period, the value of
Singapore’s imports from India increased more than sevenfold from S$1.5
billion to S$11 billion, while Singapore’s total exports (both domestic exports
and re-exports) to India increased threefold from S$4 billion to S$14 billion.
India’s exports to Singapore have clearly been the bigger driver of the increase
in bilateral trade. A downward trend, however, was noticeable from 2011 to
2012. This could be due to the subdued economic outlook in the region, as
well as an economic deceleration in India resulting in sharp contraction of
India’s exports to Singapore and shrinkage in the bilateral trade.
India-Singapore bilateral trade is dominated by trade in mineral fuels,
comprising refined petroleum products such as motor spirit, light oils, diesel
and aviation turbine fuel. Petroleum exports make up more than a third of
bilateral trade. Increasingly, however, some other commodities have become
significant trade goods. These include organic chemicals; plastics; jewellery;
electrical and non-electrical machinery; and medical and surgical instruments.
These six industries along with mineral fuels account for more than 80 per cent
of the current bilateral trade. The domination of petroleum products, chemicals
and plastics reflects the fact that bilateral trade is becoming increasingly intraindustrial in nature. There is now greater exchange of intermediate and final
products, which are moving to regional markets in Southeast Asia and China
through India and Singapore. Singapore’s strategic position as a re-export hub
has helped to move India’s products into the regional supply chains.
Singapore’s domestic exports to India
Singapore’s exports to India, as a proportion of India’s total imports from the
world, show an increasing trend (at an average of 2.3 per cent) up to 2008-9.
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The export growth could partly have been due to the lowering of tariffs under the
CECA. The relatively lower export trend in recent years, on the other hand, can
be explained by lower demand from India arising from the economic slowdown
and industrial stagnation which has affected the Indian economy over the past
two to three years. Singapore’s major exports to India include organic chemicals,
electrical and non-electrical machinery, and plastics. It is noteworthy that the
relative shares of organic chemicals and plastics in Singapore’s exports basket
for India have increased. As proportions of Singapore’s total domestic exports
to the world, the shares of exports to India of plastics (6.45 per cent in 2013) and
organic chemicals (9.57 per cent in 2013) are the highest and have been steadily
increasing since 2003. These exports, particularly chemicals, cater to industrial
demand for manufacture of finished products for the Indian domestic market and
are also used as intermediates in the regional industrial supply chains involving
Indian industries. One of these supply chains is pharmaceuticals. Large Indian
manufacturers of generic drugs have been relying on imported pharmaceutical
intermediates from Singapore and the region. There are limited supplies of these
chemicals at home, as domestic producers simply lack the capacity to meet the
intense demand. Similarly, India has seen rising demand for plastic exports
from Singapore, particularly industrial polymers that have wide applications in
a diverse range of industries, due to serious domestic supply shortages. Those
imports by India have remained high despite the periodic imposition of antidumping duties against certain exporters.
The share of mineral fuel exports to India, as a proportion of Singapore’s total
mineral fuel exports, increased from around 0.6 per cent in 2003 to 4.3 per
cent in 2009. However, this share has declined in recent years. India has been
importing refined petroleum products in order to meet local supply shortages,
as government-controlled price ceilings were driving Indian private refiners to
sell their output outside the domestic market. Gradual rationalisation of these
price ceilings have caused a fall in the imports. At the same time, appreciation
of the Singapore dollar vis-à-vis the Indian rupee may have led India to change
its import sources to countries from the Gulf, such as the United Arab Emirates.
Singapore’s imports from India
Unlike Singapore’s exports to India, which show an overall deceleration in
recent years, the share of India’s exports to Singapore has been more or
less constant (approximately 4.7 per cent). Singapore remains one of the
leading export destinations for India after the USA, UAE and China. Mineral
fuel exports, comprising mainly high-speed diesel, fuel oil and turbine fuel,
have long been India’s major exports. Almost 50 per cent of Singapore’s total
imports from India consist of mineral fuels, for blending and for re-export to
other countries like Japan and Korea. Singapore continues to account for the
largest share of India’s mineral fuel exports, though as a proportion of India’s
total mineral fuel exports to the world, Singapore’s share has declined from
25 per cent in 2003 to around 12 per cent in 2013.
Along with mineral fuels, gems and jewellery have also been Singapore’s
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101
major imports from India. India provides a tenth of Singapore’s total gem
and jewellery imports. Singapore is a major destination of final demand for
Indian high-end upper-income jewellery products, including gold jewellery
and processed diamonds. Singapore’s imports also include ships; boats and
floating structures; medical and surgical instruments; aircraft parts; electrical
machinery; and non-electrical machinery. Singapore accounts for the largest
share of ships, boats and floating structure exports from India. Such exports
include tugs, pusher craft, and vessels for transport of goods and people.
Singapore is also India’s second-largest export destination (after the USA)
for medical and surgical instruments such as chromatographs, microtomes,
syringes, hearing aids and catheters.
Singapore’s re-export to India
Re-exports constitute a significant part of the India-Singapore bilateral trade.
Indeed, the total values of re-exports are higher than Singapore’s domestic
exports to India. This is hardly surprising given Singapore’s unique role as
a trans-shipment hub in the region. As the most efficient and strategically
located regional shipment centre, Singapore has played a significant role in
expanding India’s regional trade links. Much of India’s burgeoning trade with
the Asia Pacific, for example, is routed through Singapore. Gems and jewellery,
again, are the most important items being re-exported. They now occupy a 13
per cent share of the total re-exports, up from only 1.38 per cent in 2003.
INVESTMENT
Singaporean investment in India had been negligible until the Indian economy
began to open up as a result of the economic reforms introduced by the Rao
government in the early 1990s. Even then, Singapore investment was still slow
in coming to India, as several major investment projects such as the Bangalore
International airport and the SIA-Tata joint venture in the civil aviation sector
failed to take off. In the late 1990s, Singapore government-linked companies
like the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) started to foray into the Indian market.
A major leap in Singapore FDI flows to India came in 2004-2005, at the same
time that MNCs and institutional investors began to shift their investment focus
to emerging markets like India. For example, Singapore sovereign wealth fund
company Temasek Holdings invested more than US$2 billion in India between
2004 and 2007, including US$50 million in a US$100 million energy fund which
it set up together with Reliance. Temasek was upbeat about India, and it
expected an average of 25 per cent annual returns across asset classes. 10
The total stock of FDI from Singapore into India was US$27.1 billion (SG$33.9
billion) between April 2000 and July 2014. This made up roughly 12 per cent
of the total FDI into India during the period. Singapore was India’s secondlargest source of FDI funds after Mauritius (36 per cent), ranking above major
OECD countries such as the UK (10 per cent), Japan (8 per cent), Netherlands
(6 per cent), USA (5 per cent), Germany (3 per cent) and France (2 per cent).
S IN
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Singapore replaced Mauritius as the largest source of inward FDI in 20132014, with annual flows amounting to SG$7.5 billion. Singapore’s significance
as a major source of long-term foreign investment into India is evident from its
increasing share in annual FDI inflows into India. Its share has increased from
only 3.7 per cent in 2006-2007 to 26.7 per cent in 2013-2014.
Investments from Singapore into India have mostly been in the knowledgeand technology-intensive service sectors, where Singapore enterprises have
earned the distinction of providing cutting-edge solutions. Such sectors
include telecommunications, industrial park and real estate development,
water and waste management, urban infrastructure, power generation, port
and logistics, financial services and civil aviation. Major Singapore enterprises
such as SingTel, Ascendas, CapitaLand, Sembcorp, Maritime and Port Authority
of Singapore (MPA), Hyflux and Changi Airport Group have invested in India.
The majority of investments have occurred through collaborations with local
partners. The latest collaborative venture is a full-service Indian domestic
airline, Vistara, established jointly by Singapore Airlines and Tata Sons.
Investments from Singapore to India have also flourished because several multinational corporations prefer to invest in India through their Singapore-based
holding companies. These include Telenor Asia, Nomura Asset Management,
Coca Cola, Reckitt Benckiser and Barclays. Long-term investment flows from
local and multinational companies are clearly due to the benefits of capitalising
on the two countries’ robust bilateral economic relationship.
India’s investments into Singapore have likewise been increasing over
time. However, these flows have been somewhat erratic, perhaps due to
the recent cyclical downtur n in the Indian economy. The Reserve Bank of
India’s progressive relaxation of capital controls has encouraged greater
outward foreign investment by Indian businesses. Singapore has been a
major beneficiary of these investments. The total stock of FDI from India to
Singapore at the end of 2012 was S$22 billion. This was around 3 per cent
of the total stock of FDI into Singapore. Indian FDI into Singapore peaked
at S$4.6 billion in 2010. The partial decline thereafter is largely due to the
domestic economic contraction in India.
There is a popular view that Indian investments to Singapore are largely driven
by the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), which allows investors
from either country to choose their preferred location for declaring ear nings.
Indian investors would likely prefer Singapore, which has lower tax rates.
This, however, is not an adequate explanation of the flow of investments
from India. These investments appear to have been more influenced by
Indian businesses’ need for a corporate presence in Singapore to manage
their expanding commercial activities in the Asia-Pacific region. Many of
the Indian investments facilitate greater trading activities with the rest of
Southeast Asia, China, and possibly even Africa. In this regard, Singapore
has served as an efficient conduit for augmenting Indian business and
enterprise presence in the region.
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SINGAPORE COMPANIES IN INDIA
According to an estimate by the International Enterprise Singapore (IES), there
are about 200 Singapore companies operating in India in industries such as:
•
Telecommunications Services (e.g. SingTel’s stake in Bharti Airtel);
•
Industrial parks and real estate (e.g. Ascendas, CapitaLand and
Jurong Consultants);
•
Ports (e.g. PSA Inter national, in Tuticorin and Chennai);
•
Power generation (e.g. Sembcorp);
•
Logistics and distriparks (e.g. YCH Logistics and Gateway);
•
Waste recycling and management (e.g. Hyflux);
•
Financial services (e.g. DBS); and
•
Civil aviation (e.g. Singapore Airlines and SilkAir)
A number of smaller, service-oriented companies like Wilmar Inter national,
SATS, Charles & Keith, Cordlife, Banyan Tree, Pacific Healthcare, BreadTalk,
Crystal Jade, and Raffles Education have also set up operations in India.
Some new projects have been announced:
•
PSA has won an award to build a new container port at Mumbai
(JNPT4) port;
•
approval has been given to SIA-Tata to start a new domestic airline
in India; and
•
Sembcorp is building two thermal power stations in Andhra Pradesh.
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CAPITALAND
CapitaLand first entered the Indian market in 2006. Within a span of eight
years, its business portfolio has grown to include nine shopping malls
and about 1,300 apartment units in seven serviced residences, spanning
11 cities in India.
Through its shopping mall business, CapitaMalls Asia, CapitaLand has
been introducing new vibrant shopping lifestyle experiences to meet the
growing aspirations of the local communities in key gateway cities of India.
CapitaLand opened its first shopping mall in India in 2009. Today, it owns
nine retail properties with a total gross floor area of 6.6 million square feet,
located in strategic locations in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Cochin,
Mangalore, Mysore, Nagpur and Udaipur. Of these, four malls – in Bangalore,
Udaipur, Mangalore and Hyderabad – are operational. Retailer Magazine
ranked The Celebration Mall in Udaipur among the 25 best shopping malls in
India in 2011.
T he A s c o t t L i m i t e d , a w h o l l y - o w n e d s ub si d i ary of C ap i t aLand , has more
t ha n 1, 300 ap a rt m e n t u n i t s i n s e v e n s ervi ced resi d ences across f i ve ci t i es
in India . T he c o m p a n y e x p a n d e d i n t o I n d i a i n 2006, t hrough a j oi nt vent ure
wit h T he Rat t h a G ro u p . A s c o t t h a s s ince op ened t he 187- uni t S omerset
Gre e nwa y s C h e n n a i i n 2 0 1 1 . I t a l s o o p e r at es t he 96- uni t C i t ad i nes Ri chmond
Ba ng a lo re . It h a s f i v e m o re p ro p e rt i e s to b e op ened i n Bangal ore, C hennai ,
A hme da ba d, H y d e ra b a d a n d G u rg a o n . A s t he worl d ’s l argest i nt er nat i onal
s e r v ic e d re s i d e n c e o w n e r- o p e ra t o r, A scot t ’s achi evement s have b een
re c o g nis e d i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y a s w e l l a s i n Ind i a. A t t he Worl d Travel Award s
2013, A s c o t t ’s S o m e rs e t S e rv i c e d R esi d ence b rand was named “Ind i a’s
Le a ding S e r v i c e d A p a rt m e n t B ra n d ” a n d S omerset Greenways C hennai won
t he “India ’s L e a d i n g S e rv i c e d A p a rt m e nt s” award .
Recognising that the company’s long-term success is closely intertwined
with the well-being and prosperity of the communities in which it operates,
CapitaLand launched the “My Schoolbag” programme in India in 2011 through
the CapitaLand Hope Foundation. The programme provides underprivileged
schoolchildren in Asia with new schoolbags containing school and daily
necessities.
CapitaLand is one of Asia’s largest real estate companies. Headquartered and
listed in Singapore, the company’s diversified real estate portfolio primarily
includes homes, offices, shopping malls, serviced residences and mixed-
IN D
a-b.
use developments. The company also has one of the largest real estate fund
The C eleb ra ti o n Ma l l i n U d a i p u r, I n d i a .
management businesses with assets located in Asia.
( Source: Ca p i ta L a n d )
105
a.
b.
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106
SEMBCORP
Sembcorp Industries is a leading energy, water and marine group operating
across six continents worldwide. As a provider of essential energy and water
solutions to both industrial and municipal customers, its facilities have more
than 7,200 megawatts of gross power capacity and process over eight million
cubic metres of water per day. It is also a world leader in marine and offshore
engineering, as well as an established brand name in urban development.
The Sembcorp Group has total assets of over S$14 billion and employs
approximately 10,000 employees.
In India, Sembcorp has investments in the power, marine and offshore
engineering sectors.
Power Plants
The Central Electricity Authority of India expects that India’s need for power
will continue to increase steadily. Base load deficits will remain at 8 per cent
to 10 per cent until 2022. Sembcorp is helping to meet this growing demand
for energy with its two power projects in Andhra Pradesh, which have a
combined capacity of 2,640 megawatts.
Sembcorp holds 49 per cent of Thermal Powertech Corporation India (TPCIL),
which is developing a 1,320-megawatt coal-fired coastal power plant in
Krishnapatnam, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. The TPCIL power plant will apply
supercritical technology for lower emissions and is now more than 80 per cent
complete. First-phase commercial operations are expected to commence in the
fourth quarter of 2014, with the final phase of commercial operations expected
in 2015.
In February 2014, Sembcorp announced a second power project in India.
It entered into a joint venture to acquire 45 per cent of NCC Power Projects
(NCCPP), which is building another 1,320-megawatt supercritical coastal
coal-fired power plant adjacent to the TPCIL plant. Sembcorp’s stake in
NCCPP was subsequently increased to 49 per cent in May 2014. Construction
of the NCCPP project is currently about 30 per cent complete, and it is
expected to come on-stream in 2016.
Marine & Offshore Engineering
Sembcorp Industries’ separately-listed subsidiary, Sembcorp Marine, made
its foray into the Indian market in 2009. Under a joint venture with Kakinada
Seaports, Sembcorp Marine’s Sembawang Shipyard holds 40 per cent of a
31-acre integrated marine and offshore yard on the east coast of India, one
of the world’s key oil and gas exploration areas.
The integrated yard, Sembmarine Kakinada, operates within the vicinity of
Kakinada Seaports. It commenced dry-docking operations in January 2013
following the commissioning of the yard’s first floating dock, which has a
lifting capacity of 13,500 tonnes and is equipped with two 15-tonne travelling
dock cranes. With the new floating dock in operation, the yard is capable of
IN D
a.
Sembmari n e Ka ki n a d a , a o n e -s to p
integrated ma ri n e a n d o ffs h o re
ser v ice fa ci l i ty.
b.
Sembcor p h o l d s 49 p e r ce n t o f T h e rma l
Powertec h Co rp o ra ti o n I n d i a ( T PCI L ) ,
which is d e ve l o p i n g a 1, 320-me g a w a tt
coal-fired co a s ta l p o w e r p l a n t i n
Krishnap a tn a m, Ne l l o re , A n d h ra
Pradesh. T h e T PCI L p o w e r p l a n t w i l l
apply sup e rcri ti ca l te ch n o l o g y fo r l o w e r
emission s a n d i s n o w mo re th a n 80 p e r
cent comp l e te . F i rs t p h a s e co mme rci a l
operation s a re e xp e cte d to co mme n ce i n
the fourth q u a rte r o f 2014, w i th th e fi n a l
phase of co mme rci a l o p e ra ti o n s e xp e cte d
in 2015.
( Source: Se mb co rp I n d u s tri e s )
107
full dry-docking and repairs; conversion works; and servicing offshore vessels.
Other key facilities in operation in the yard’s first phase include blasting and
painting shops; specialized offshore equipment service shops for riser and
tubular repairs; mechanical, electrical, piping, outfitting and multi-purpose
workshops; and a 630-metre repair pier with two 50-tonne travelling cranes.
Development of the yard will continue in two more phases. Ultimately, the
integrated yard will offer ship owners and offshore operators a one-stop
integrated marine and offshore service facility for the repair and servicing
of offshore vessels and ships, newbuilds, oil and gas riser and equipment
repairs, as well as the fabrication of platforms and modules.
a.
b.
S IN
108
a.
b.
THE SINGTEL/BHARTI – SINGAPORE PARTNERSHIP
T he s t r a t e g ic b u s i n e s s p a rt n e rs h i p b et ween S i ngTel and Bhart i b egan i n
2001, wit h S i n g Te l ’s i n v e s t m e n t o f US $400 mi l l i on i n Bhart i A i rt el . The
inv e s t m e nt , a t t h a t p o i n t i n t i m e , was t he si ngl e l argest S i ngap orean
inv e s t m e nt in I n d i a .
In 2002, Bha rt i a n d S i n g Te l d e e p e n e d t hei r p art nershi p b y l aunchi ng t he
i2i s ubm a r in e c a b l e s y s t e m t h a t c o n nect ed C hennai wi t h S i ngap ore. i 2i
wa s t he f ir st p ri v a t e c a b l e s y s t e m t o l i nk Ind i a and S i ngap ore, wi t h t he
la rg e s t ba nd w i d t h c a p a c i t y i n t h e w o rl d . The cab l e p rovi d ed a maj or b oost
t o t e le c o m m u n i c a t i o n s e rv i c e s a n d t h e Int er net i n Ind i a and t he S out h A si an
re g io n, a nd co n t i n u e s t o b e a s i g n i f i c a n t p rovi d er of b and wi d t h cap aci t y t o
o pe r a t o r s a n d c a rri e rs i n t h e re g i o n .
Bha r t i’s re lat i o n s h i p w i t h S i n g a p o re was f urt her st rengt hened i n 2007
whe n Te m a s e k H o l d i n g s , S i n g Te l ’s p a rent comp any, acq ui red an i nd i rect
s t a k e in Bha rt i A i rt e l . T h i s w a s f o l l o w ed b y an ad d i t i onal i nvest ment of
US $500 m illio n i n B h a rt i I n f ra t e l , t h e t e l ecom t ower arm of Bhart i A i rt el . The
o pe r a t io ns . To d a y, B h a rt i A i rt e l h a s e x p and ed i t s op erat i ons t o 20 count ri es
a.
Prime Mi n i s te r L e e Hs i e n L o o n g s h a ki n g
hands wi th Mr Mi tta l a s Ma d a m Ho Ch i n g
and Mr S a n j a y Ka p o o r, th e n CE O o f B h a rti
Airtel for I n d i a a n d So u th A s i a , l o o ke d o n .
a c ro s s S o ut h A s i a a n d A f ri c a . I t h a s t h e f ourt h- l argest sub scri b er b ase of
b.
re la t io ns hip b e t w e e n t h e t w o c o m p a n i es has d eep ened over t he years, wi t h
bo t h S ing Te l a n d B h a rt i A i rt e l s h a ri n g b est p ract i ces f rom t hei r resp ect i ve
a ny m o bile op e ra t o r i n t h e w o rl d w i t h nearl y 300 mi l l i on cust omers at t he
e nd o f M a rc h 2 0 1 4 .
P r im e M inis t e r L e e H s i e n L o o n g t o u re d t he Bhart i A i rt el head q uart ers d uri ng
his o ffic ia l v i s i t t o I n d i a i n De c e m b e r 2012.
IN D
Mr Mittal , Pri me Mi n i s te r A ta l B i h a ri
Vajpay ee , Pri me Mi n i s te r Go h Ch o k To n g
and Lee Hs i e n Ya n g , p re s i d e n t a n d CE O o f
SingTel, a t th e Si n g Te l -B h a rti i 2i Ne tw o rk
partnersh i p a n n o u n ce me n t i n 2002.
( Source: Si n g Te l B h a rti )
109
a.
HYFLUX
Hyflux has been active in India since 2005, when it opened an office in
Chennai. Today, Hyflux’s membrane products and water treatment plants are
of key importance for customers such as Tata BP Solar, Rashtriya Chemicals
and Fertilizers (RCF), and Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL), which rely on
Hyflux’s industrial water solutions for secure, reliable water supplies,
improved water quality and productivity as well as lower operating costs.
Hyflux is also responsible for supplying the technology package for India’s
largest membrane-based water recycling project. The plant is situated in
an industrial estate in Surat, Gujarat. It treats wastewater into industrial
grade water for re-use, producing 40 million litres per day (MLD). It was
inaugurated in early 2014 by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is
now India’s Prime Minister. This project will provide the model for India to
move up to the next level of water management, especially in the areas of
water conservation and water recycling.
In 2013, Hyflux and its consortium partner Hitachi signed a water purchase
agreement with Dahej SEZ Limited for a 336 MLD membrane-based seawater
desalination plant that it will design, build, own and operate in the Dahej
Special Economic Zone in the state of Gujarat. The consortium is working
towards financial close for the project. This is Hyflux’s first large-scale water
project in India. When it is completed, it will be the largest desalination plant
in the Gujarat region.
In addition, Hyflux is designing and building an ultrafiltration pre-treatment
a.
H y f l u x E x e c u t i v e C h a i rm an and G roup
C E O O l i v i a L u m ( l e f t ) and Hyflux’s
c o n s o r t i u m p a r t n e r with then G ujarat
C h i e f Mi n i s t e r N a r e n dra M odi. They
we r e a t t h e s i g n i n g of the Co- D eveloper
A g r e e me n t wi t h D a h ej SEZ Lim ited to
d e s i g n a n d b u i l d t h e 336 M LD S WRO
d e s a l i n a t i o n p l a n t i n the D ahej S pec ial
E c o n o mi c Z o n e .
(Source: Hyflux)
system using its Kristal membranes for ONGC Petro Additions Limited (OPaL)
in the special economic zone.
In 2012, Hyflux set up an Engineering Resource Centre in Pune to support
its many projects. The Centre provides engineering and service support
with a team of highly skilled engineers. It also brings Hyflux’s membrane
products and solutions closer to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
and customers.
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RAFFLES EDUCATION CORPORATION
Raffles Education Corporation is the largest private education group in
Asia-Pacific. Since establishing its first college in Singapore in 1990, the
Group has grown to operate 31 colleges in 29 cities across 12 countries in
Asia-Pacific.
It made its entry into India in 2004 with its first design college in Mumbai.
Since then, Raffles has spread its wings to New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad,
Chennai and Ahmedabad. Thus far, close to 1,000 students have graduated
from Raffles. Raffles offers advanced diploma and Bachelor degree courses
in design, namely Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, Fashion Design,
Interior Design, Product Design and Fashion Marketing. The lecturers are
a.
experienced professionals with extensive links to the industry, recruited both
inter nationally and locally. Raffles Education Corporation’s flexible interschool transfer scheme allows students to study at any college within the
Raffles network and experience an overseas education. As a result, Raffles
graduates will be well-positioned in the industry with their advanced technical
skills and their inter national outlook.
Awards and Recognitions
Raffles Mumbai was awarded the “Most Promising Design Institute in Mumbai”
award in 2013. Education World ranked Raffles Design Inter national, Mumbai
as one of the top fashion colleges in India in its May 2014 issue.
Awards and Achievements by Students
•
Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week 2007, Best Fashion
b.
Installation Award;
•
Triumph Inspiration Awards 2008, National Winner;
•
Vogue Honours 2010;
•
Hunt For The Kingfisher Calendar 2013;
•
Lakme Fashion Week – Spring Collection 2014;
•
Photoshoot for Kingfisher Calendar 2014; and
•
The Park ELLE DÉCOR Student Contest in India Design 2014,
Fur niture and Lightning Category
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JRE Group of Institutions – Management and Engineering Programmes
In 2009, Raffles Education invested in the JRE Group of Institutions, the
largest education hub in India. Its 44-acre campus in Greater Noida, an
industrial town 40 km from New Delhi, is home to more than 150 institutions.
With the first phase of the campus construction completed, JRE received the
first batch of students for its Post-Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)
and Bachelor of Technology in Engineering Programmes in August 2011 with
an initial intake of 200 students. It now has 580 students.
All programmes and facilities at JRE are approved by the Indian regulatory
bodies of Higher Education, namely the All India Council for Technical
Education (AICTE) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
a.
R a f f l e s D e s i g n I n t e r n ational, M um bai
a n d R a f f l e s Mi l l e n n i um International
H y d e r a b a d we r e h o n oured with the
E d u c a t i o n E x c e l l e n c e Award for the “M ost
P r o mi s i n g D e s i g n I n stitute in M um bai and
A n d h r a P r a d e s h r e s p ec tively” in 2 0 1 3 .
b.
R a f f l e s D e s i g n I n t e r n ational, M um bai
s t u d e n t s F a r a z D a l v i , S anc hit K edia,
A k a s h P a t e l a n d S a g ar Satam , who all
wo n D e s i g n o mi c s Awards.
c.
Mr J o n a t h a n To w, D e puty High
C o mmi s s i o n e r o f S i n g apore in N ew D elhi,
Mr B e n j a mi n Ya p , R e gional D irec tor of
t h e S o u t h A s i a G r o u p , M s Tan Zhi Xian,
C e n t r e D i r e c t o r o f t h e S outh Asia G roup
a n d Mr C h a i t a n y a A r ora, a partner in
f i n a n c i a l c o n s u l t i n g firm Ac c urac y visiting
t h e J R E G r o u p o f I n s titutions c am pus.
( S o u r c e : R a f f l e s E d u c ation Corporation)
c.
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JURONG INTERNATIONAL
Jurong Inter national first established its headquarters in Bangalore in
January 2002.
This proved critical for the company. Its first project, the International Tech
Park Bangalore, provided the impetus for the successful completion of other
commercial buildings such as ING Vysya Bank, Nitesh Broadway and Karle
Premium. A regional office in Hyderabad was then opened in August 2004.
Jurong International went on to set up the Cyber Pearl and iLabs IT parks in
Hyderabad, as well as Technopolis in Kochi and Commerzone in Pune.
Other major projects included the new Hyderabad Inter national Airport and a
hospital in Kochi, awarded by the BCG Group.
“India holds a special significance in our global footprint as we take pride
that our projects have contributed somewhat to its transformation,” said
Jurong Inter national’s Group President and CEO Tang Tat Kwong. “We would
not have accomplished this if not for the support from the local gover nment
authorities and customers who believe in our brand promise. We will continue
to leverage on our expertise and new technologies, leading us into the next
phase of development and progress for India.”
Jurong Inter national’s strong track record and presence in 25 cities are
testament to this, as is its ISO9001 certification for Quality Management
System. Its most recent projects include a Petrochemical Park on Nayachar
Island, the NetApp IT campus in Bangalore, the Lulu-Grand Hyatt Hotel cum
Convention Centre in Kochi and the Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre.
Jurong Inter national’s India office is currently run by a team of young and
aspiration-driven architects and engineers, headed by Dr Uma Maheswaran.
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113
a.
b.
a.
i L a b s ( H y d e r a b a d , I n dia)
b.
N e t A p p ( B a n g a l o r e , I ndia)
c.
C o mme r z o n e ( P u n e , I ndia)
( S o u r c e : J u r o n g I n t e rnational)
c.
S IN
114
SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE (SIAC)
India is currently a popular investment destination for scores of multinational
companies, and is seeing foreign investments (both inbound and outbound)
in the range of US$30-40 billion a year.
It is thus little surprise that an increasing number of Indian entities are becoming
party to international arbitration. Institutional arbitration is now a widely
accepted and popular method of dealing with commercial disputes. Certainty of
costs and timelines, the ability of institutions to appoint quality arbitrators, and
improved prospects of enforcement are some of the reasons why institutional
arbitration has begun to find resonance amongst Indian corporates. However,
Indian parties have been experiencing some problems in receiving ad hoc
arbitration in India – namely delays, high costs and court intervention.
In this context, Singapore has emerged as a logical destination for Indian
companies looking for inter national arbitration. Singapore’s legal system
has always strongly supported inter national arbitration, party autonomy and
the finality of arbitral awards. Foreign counsel and arbitrators are free to
participate in arbitral proceedings. Singapore’s judiciary is seen to be neutral,
independent from influence, and encouraging of commercial enterprise.
Singapore is also geographically well-located in relation to India, and the
two countries have similar cultures and a shared history.
India and Singapore also share strong economic ties, particularly since
India’s “Look East” policy came into effect in the early nineties. India and
Singapore concluded the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
(CECA) in 2005. Their bilateral trade has grown tenfold in the period from
2001 to 2012. Singapore is currently the largest foreign investor in India, and
over 6,500 Indian companies are housed in Singapore.
As a result of all these factors, the number of new cases involving at least
one Indian party at SIAC has been growing steadily in recent years. In fact,
Indian parties contributed to the highest number of filings at SIAC in 2013,
a.
generating 85 out of 259 new cases.
Recognising that India plays a significant role in building SIAC’s success as
an inter national arbitral institution, SIAC established its first liaison office
in Mumbai in April 2013 to enhance its efforts to interact closely with the
business and legal communities in India.
IN D
Senior Mi n i s te r o f Sta te fo r L a w a n d
Education I n d ra n e e R a j a h a n d Ch i e f
Justice M o h i t Sh a h o f th e B o mb a y Hi g h
C ourt lig h ti n g a l a mp to ma rk th e o p e n i n g
of SIAC ’s Mu mb a i o ffi ce . L o o ki n g o n
are SIAC I n d i a Di re cto r Pa l l a vi Sh ro ff
and SIAC Co u rt o f A rb i tra ti o n Pre s i d e n t
Michael Pr yl e s . ( So u rce : SI A C)
115
The primary objectives of the Indian liaison office are to facilitate the
dissemination of information on arbitration at SIAC and in Singapore, promote
the use of institutional arbitration and SIAC as a leading inter national
arbitration institution, create a line of communication between SIAC and
key players in inter national arbitration in India, obtain feedback on SIAC’s
services as an arbitral institution, and to work closely with the judiciary and
the gover nment in India on policy initiatives, legislative change and regular
exchange of ideas on live issues.
SIAC’s India office is located at the One Indiabulls Centre in Mumbai, and is
managed by qualified Indian lawyers with inter national arbitration experience
and familiarity with SIAC’s workings as an inter national arbitral institution.
a.
S IN
116
a.
b.
c.
d.
MEINHARDT
Meinhardt established its first representative office in India in 2001 and
a.
Statue of U n i ty
b.
Ranchi S p o rts Co mp l e x
a Meinhardt Singapore Branch Office in 2004. Today, Meinhardt has three
c.
corporate offices in Noida, Gurgaon and Chennai respectively, and sixteen
site offices across the country. More than 300 engineers and support staff
work on its infrastructure and built environment projects.
In the last 10 years, Meinhardt has undertaken a wide range of projects
Indira Gan d h i A i rp o rt
d.
Greater Ba n g a l o re Wa te r Su p p l y Pro j e ct
e.
Yamuna E xp re s s w a y I n d i a
across multiple sectors. It provides a broad spectrum of services, such
f.
as feasibility, design, bid process management and project management.
Meinhardt has established good working relationships with public and
IN D
NH 3
g.
private sector clients, including key developers such as DLF, Oberoi, Raheja,
DLF Mag n o l i a
Shipra, Emami, Wave and ITC Sheraton. Meinhardt was appointed by the
h.
Gover nment of Gujarat to provide Integrated Engineering consultancy for the
Ascendas I T Pa rk Ch e n n a i
182m-tall Statue of Unity in Gujarat.
( Source: Me i n h a rd t)
e.
117
f.
Meinhardt has developed extensive experience and capabilities across many
sectors. It was involved in restructuring and moder nizing the Delhi and
Mumbai Airports, supervising the construction of the Third National Highways
in India, and providing project management services for both phases of the
Greater Bangalore Water Supply Project.
Meinhardt has been involved in designing a number of residential, hotels,
commercial and mixed-use buildings, such as ITC Sheraton Kolkata, DLF
Magnolias, Raheja Oma and Albatross Chennai. The team has also completed
industrial parks such as the Inter national Technology Parks for Barclays and
Ascendas, as well as the Sports Complex in Ranchi, which played host to the
2011 Indian National Games.
Meinhardt
built
a
strong
reputation
for
being
a
one-stop
integrated
engineering solution provider and is now considered as one of the leading
inter national project management and engineering consultancies in India.
They were awarded the title of Best Project Management and Engineering
Firm of the Year at the GIREM 2008 conference in Goa.
The growth and achievement of Meinhardt’s business in India is illustrated
through its extensive track record. It has provided:
•
Over 1,700km of new national highways and state roads;
•
3,850km of rural roads;
•
Technical advisory works for the restructuring and moder nization of
the Delhi and Mumbai airports;
g.
•
More than 4,386 km of sewers and 65 pumping stations;
•
Over 6,172km of storm water drains;
•
2,000 km of trunk and distribution potable water mains;
•
331,000 household water connections; and
•
1.6 million cubic metres of additional sewage treatment capacity
from 17 sewage treatment plants.
In the built environment space, it has undertaken:
•
2300 acres of master planned areas;
•
30 million square metres of residential and mixed use buildings; and
•
15 million square metres of commercial buildings.
h.
S IN
118
a.
YCH INDIA
YCH first entered India in 2006, providing freight and customs clearance
services. It then expanded into finished goods distribution, servicing all
of India.
Today, YCH India provides customised end-to-end supply chain solutions for
its electronics, consumer, chemicals and healthcare customers in India. Its
key clientele includes MNCs such as Dell, NCR, ASUS, Hoya Medicals and
Acer. The 525,000 square foot YCH DistriPark in Sriperumbudur Chennai is
TAPA and ISO9001 certified, and was named as the first Green Facility in
India according to LEED (USGBC) standards.
Through its efficiently-managed vendor-managed inventory (VMI) model, YCH
India is capable of feeding the Dell manufacturing lines every 90 minutes
from its DistriPark in Sriperumbudur. Leveraging on its last-mile network, it
then takes on the time-sensitive task of merging and distributing the finished
goods.
YCH India’s spare parts network in India spreads across 40 FSLs (Forward
Stocking Locations) and SFSLs (Super Forward Stocking Locations/Regional
Hubs). It is also one of the largest Service Parts Networks by a 3PL Service
Provider in India, covering metros, Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities. YCH India also
supports time-specific deliveries for customers such as NCR, through the
use of sprinters and a dedicated delivery mechanism.
With India as one of its main business gateways in Asia, YCH is able to tap
into its pan-India and pan-Asian networks to meet time-specific deliveries
for its MNC clients.
IN D
a.
The YC H Di s tri Pa rk i n Ch e n n a i , w h i ch
was certi fi e d a s th e fi rs t L E E D g re e n
warehouse i n I n d i a .
b.
C ontaine r b a y a t th e Y CH Di s tri Pa rk.
c.
Official i n a u g u ra ti o n o f th e Y CH Di s tri Pa rk
in C henn a i , I n d i a . Si n g a p o re ’s F o re i g n
Minister Ge o rg e Ye o w a s g u e s t o f h o n o u r
at the ev e n t.
( Source: Y CH I n d i a )
119
b.
b.
S IN
120
ASCENDAS
Ascendas’ association with India spans over two decades, beginning with
its first IT park in India, Inter national Tech Park Bangalore (ITPB). A whollyowned subsidiary of JTC Corporation (JTC), Ascendas was previously known
as Technology Parks Pte Ltd and, in 1997, Arcasia Land. In 2001, Ascendas
was formed through the merger of two JTC subsidiaries, namely Arcasia Land
and JTC Inter national’s Business Parks and Facilities Group.
The vision for an IT park originated in 1993 during the Non-Aligned Movement
meeting held in Jakarta, when Indian Prime Minister Narasimha Rao met
with Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. The idea was given a further
boost in July 1993 when the chairman of the Economic Development Board
of Singapore, Mr Philip Yeo, led a business delegation to India. Mr Yeo and
Mr Ratan Tata subsequently mooted the idea of developing an IT park in
Bangalore, leading to the creation of ITPB.
On 13 January 1994, Information Technology Park Ltd was formed. It was
a joint venture between Tata Industries Ltd, Kar nataka Industrial Areas
Development Board (KIADB) and a Singapore consortium of companies
led by Ascendas. It is now a joint venture between Ascendas India Trust
and KIADB.
ITPB offers a complete “work, live and play” environment which integrates
office, retail, residential and recreational facilities. It hosts nearly a hundred
IT and ITES companies, which collectively employ more than 32,000
professionals. ITPB also houses Vivanta by Taj, which is a 5-star business
hotel; and Ascendas Park Square, a retail mall.
Following the success of ITPB, Ascendas has deepened its presence in India
with Inter national Tech Park Chennai and CyberVale in Chennai; CyberPearl,
The V and aVance in Hyderabad; and Inter national Tech Park Pune. Ascendas
is also developing OneHub Chennai, an integrated industrial township
in Chennai; and two sector-specific Special Economic Zones in Gurgaon.
Today, Ascendas manages about 8.7 million square feet of completed space
and close to 1,500 acres of land for development across 5 cities in India.
A s c e nda s
has
also
expanded
its
b usi ness
b eyond
b usi ness
sp ace
de v e lo pme nt t o re a l e s t a t e f u n d s m a nagement , wi t h a p ort f ol i o of l i st ed
a nd pr iv a t e f u n d s t h a t e n a b l e l i k e - m i n d ed i nvest ors t o p art i ci p at e i n Ind i a’s
e c o no mic g ro w t h . I n J u n e 2 0 0 5 , A s c e n d as l aunched t he A scend as Ind i a IT
P a r k s Tr us t , a p ri v a t e re a l e s t a t e f u n d . It b ecame A si a’s f i rst l i st ed Ind i an
pro pe r t y t r us t i n A u g u s t 2 0 0 7 , w h e n i t was l i st ed as A scend as Ind i a Trust .
In J une 200 7 , A s c e n d a s l a u n c h e d A s cend as Ind i a Devel op ment Trust , a
pr iv a t e re a l e s t a t e f u n d f o c u s i n g o n i n t egrat ed p rop ert y d evel op ment s i n
India . In No v e m b e r 2 0 1 3 , A s c e n d a s l aunched t he A scend as Ind i a Growt h
P ro g r a mme w i t h S i n g a p o re ’s s o v e re i g n weal t h f und , GIC P ri vat e Li mi t ed , as
a pr inc ipa l in v e s t o r.
IN D
a.
Internatio n a l Te ch Pa rk Ch e n n a i ( I T PC) .
( Source: A s ce n d a s )
121
a.
S IN
122
PSA INTERNATIONAL
The former Port of Singapore Authority was established as a statutory body
in 1964. With the advent of containerisation, Singapore made a bold decision
to invest in container-handling facilities, and the first container vessel called
at Singapore Port in 1972.
The ensuing years saw a significant growth in container volumes, and
Singapore became a major container transshipment hub. In 1990, Singapore
became the busiest container port in the world, overtaking more established
ports like Rotterdam and Hong Kong.
In 1997, the statutory board spun off its container and cargo handling role into
a commercial entity called PSA Corporation. In 2003, PSA Inter national was
set up as the investment holding company for PSA’s businesses in Singapore
and worldwide. It started to expand its footprint rapidly beyond Singapore.
Today, PSA Inter national operates 26 ports in 15 countries. The PSA Group
throughput for 2013 was 61.8 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs),
almost half of the volume handled at terminals outside Singapore.
India was a natural choice for investment. Its large population, rising middle
class, economic growth, and keenness to attract foreign direct investment
gave it a strong potential for container handling.
TUTICORIN
In July 1998, PSA entered into a 30-year Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT)
concession agreement with the Tuticorin Port Trust to develop the seventh
berth as a container terminal. Tuticorin Container Terminal is operated by PSA
Sical Terminals Limited, a joint venture company in which PSA is the majority
shareholder. Terminal operations started in December 1999, and container
volumes have grown from about 150,000 TEUs in 2000 to almost 500,000 TEUs
in 2013.
CHENNAI
In March 2007, PSA entered into a 30-year BOT concession agreement with
Chennai Port Trust for a container terminal project. Chennai Inter national
Terminals Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PSA, was incorporated
to develop and operate the terminal. The terminal was designed to handle
the new generation of deep draught vessels, using cutting-edge equipment.
A dedicated rail inside the terminal connects it to Inland Container Depots
(ICDs), allowing it to seamlessly transport the growing rail container traffic
inland.
Chennai is a major hub for the east coast of India. Its thriving hinterland
caters to the automobile, pharmaceutical, textile, leather, light engineering
and chemical manufacturing units. The terminal is ideally positioned to tap on
Chennai and its hinterland. Its container volumes have grown from 300,000
TEUs in 2009 to nearly 750,000 TEUs in 2013.
IN D
a.
PSA Intern a ti o n a l Ch e n n a i Te rmi n a l .
( Source: PSA I n te rn a ti o n a l )
123
a.
KOLKATA
Kolkata Port, India’s oldest operating port, is located at the Hooghly River.
It is well-linked by roads and railways to its hinterland, which comprises
northeast India and the landlocked neighbouring countries of Nepal and
Bhutan. The port handled close to 460,000 TEUs in 2013.
In 2014, PSA won a 10-year contract for supply, operation and maintenance
of container handling equipment at the Kolkata Port. PSA then incorporated
Bharat Kolkata Container Terminals Private Limited to handle the contract.
It is expected to commence operations in late 2014.
MUMBAI
As all its operating container terminals are located on the east coast of India,
PSA sought to develop a pan-Indian presence with a project on the West
Coast. In late 2013, PSA bid for a 30-year concession to build and operate
the fourth container terminal in Nhava Sheva, a premier port location in
Mumbai which taps into the cargo-rich hinterland of the state of Maharashtra
and the Delhi Capital Region. In 2014, PSA was awarded the concession.
When completed, the terminal will be the largest container terminal in India,
with a capacity of 4.8 million TEUs and a wharf length of 2 kilometres. The
project will be built in two phases, with the first phase being operational by
late 2017.
S IN
124
INDIAN COMPANIES IN SINGAPORE
In 1993 there were only 22 Indian companies operating in Singapore apart
from several representative offices and four full licensed banks, namely the
Bank of India, the India Bank, the Indian Overseas Bank and the UCO Bank.
By 2001, a total of 1,100 Indian companies had been registered in Singapore.
Since then, this number has continued to grow rapidly. There were 4,000
Indian companies in 2011. By the end of 2013, there were 6,450. Most of these
companies are trading companies and business consultancies. However, a
significant number of them are set up for single-transaction purposes – such
as for the acquisition of overseas assets and natural resources in the region;
for transactions in real estate; or merely to have a registered address in
Singapore for trading purposes.
This phenomenal growth coincided with the Reserve Bank of India’s
relaxation of limitations on Indian foreign direct investment overseas since
2002. Singapore is an attractive overseas destination for several reasons:
•
•
It is a safe and easy place to start a business;
As a financial hub, it is a good place to raise capital and acts as a
conduit to route investment flows into and out of India; and
•
It allows easy access to its neighbouring countries, especially ASEAN
and China.
The Tata Group was among the pioneer Indian investors in Singapore. Tata
Precision Industries (TPI) started operations in April 1973 to design and
manufacture tools and components for the computer and computer-related
industries. At the same time, the Tata Group also partnered with Singapore’s
Economic Development Board to set up a Joint Gover nment Training Centre,
which produced skilled tool makers for high-precision engineering projects.
IN D
125
TATA AND SINGAPORE
On their way back from Australia on 26 April 1970, Mr J. R. D. Tata, Chairman
of Tata Sons; Mr Sumant Moolgaokar, Chairman of TELCO (now Tata Motors);
and Dr Freddie Mehta, Chief Economic Advisor of Tata Sons, met with Dr
Goh Keng Swee, the Finance Minister; and Mr Hon Sui Sen, Chairman of
the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). During the meeting,
Dr Goh explained the Singapore Gover nment’s policy on industrialization,
development and growth. He emphasized that foreign investment was most
welcome and that there were no controls on repatriation of profits.
The Tata delegation was greatly enthused by the meeting with Dr Goh, who
virtually assured the team that Singapore would be interested in Tatas setting
a.
up a high-tech industrial plant in Singapore. The only criterion he wanted
Tatas to observe in starting its plants in Singapore was one of “profitability”.
A team from the Tata Group visited Singapore and other countries in Southeast
Asia. It recommended Singapore as a choice location for investment.
Subsequently, Mr Naval Mody, Mr F. A. Mehta, Mr S. R. Vakil and Mr A. N.
Maira visited Singapore to finalise Tata’s plan to participate in Singapore’s
industrial development. In a letter dated 26 June 1971, then Chairman of the
EDB I. F. Tang wrote to Vice Chairman of Tata Sons Sumant Moolgaonkar to
confirm the arrangements. It became very clear that Singapore wanted to
promote a high-class precision engineering industry toolroom which could
support the multinational companies in Singapore and the region.
Tata Precision Industries (TPI) was thus set up as a joint venture between Tatas
(Tata Zug, Tata Motors), the Development Bank of Singapore and Sime Darby.
Mr Syamal Gupta was appointed as the General Manager of Tata Precision
Industries in April 1972. This green-field project in Singapore was possibly
one of the Tata Group’s first major manufacturing ventures overseas. TPI’s
world-class facilities in Singapore started operation in April 1973. With their
highly sophisticated Swiss and German machine tools, they designed and
manufactured sophisticated in capsulation moulds, tools and components
for semi-conductors. Their clients included companies like National SemiConductors, Motorola, and Texas Instruments. TPI also started providing the
computer, telecom and electronic industries with components and tools. Mr
Moolgaonkar provided great support and guidance to TPI, transforming it
into a global player in its field.
The TPI Board included Mr Naval Mody of Tata Inc. as Chairman; Dr Freddie
Mehta of Tata Sons; Mr Nick Young of Sime Darby; Mr S. Dhanabalan of the
a.
Mr S y a ma l G u p t a wi t h M r J . R. D . Tata
a n d Mr N . H . Ta t a i n Singapore. (Sourc e:
S y a ma l G u p t a )
Development Bank of Singapore, who later became the Foreign Minister;
and Mr S. K. Chan of Shook Lin & Bok, who later became the Chief Justice
of Singapore.
S IN
126
b.
b.
Mr J. R. D. Ta ta p l a n ti n g a tre e a t Ta ta
Precision I n d u s tri e s , Si n g a p o re .
c.
d.
Simultaneously, the Tata group created the Tata Gover nment Training Centre
in collaboration with the EDB. The Centre was to produce skilled toolmakers,
who were in great demand for high-precision engineering projects like the
TPI. The Training Centre was headed by Mr F. M. A. Shaikh, who took charge
c.
Mr Suman t Mo o l g a o n ka r, Mr Na va l Ta ta
and Mr S ya ma l Gu p ta a t Ta ta Pre ci s i o n
Industries .
d.
Deputy Pri me Mi n i s te r L e e Hs i e n L o o n g
v isiting th e Ta ta I n te rn a ti o n a l s h o w ro o m
in Mumba i , I n d i a w i th Mr R a ta n Ta ta i n
March 1992.
of the operations in 1972.
e.
Kohli visited Singapore to attend a conference. He was known as the father
Presiden t S. R . Na th a n p re s e n ti n g th e
H onorar y Ci ti ze n Aw a rd to Mr R a ta n Ta ta
in Singap o re i n A u g u s t 2008.
of India’s IT industry. Meeting him for the first time, Mr Syamal Gupta was
f.
During the mid-1970s, then Director of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) F. C.
very impressed with his views and vision for the IT industry. They met with Mr
Chandra Das and Mr Gopinath Pillai, senior managers of Intraco Limited, to
discuss setting up a TCS presence in Singapore. Even though Mr Das and Mr
Pillai were not familiar with TCS or Tata at the time, Intraco agreed to start a
IN D
Presenta ti o n o f ci ta ti o n to Mr R a ta n
Tata by th e Ch a i rma n o f Si n g a p o re ’s
Economic De ve l o p me n t B o a rd ( E DB ) ,
Mr Lim S i o n g Gu a n .
( Source: Sya ma l Gu p ta )
127
joint venture with TCS after meeting Dr Kohli. This was the beginning of TCS’
entry into Singapore.
Even from this early period, Chairman of Tata Sons J. R. D Tata was very
much interested in Tata’s globalization plan and Singapore’s success story.
Mr Tata visited Spore in 1974 and 1982. On both occasions, he met Mr
Lee Kuan Yew, the then Prime Minister of Singapore, and they had very
fruitful discussions.
In the early 80s, Mr Ratan N. Tata became the Chairman of Tata Industries and
Tata Sons and consolidated the Group. He played a key role in strengthening
e.
the India-Singapore and Tata-Singapore relationships. He was actively
involved in setting up Tata Elxis, a company which manufactured parallel
processing computers in Singapore. He also promoted Plantek, a state-ofthe-art company for biotechnology research in Singapore.
Mr Ratan Tata visited Singapore many times to have meetings with Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong and other political leaders. For his contributions to
Singapore’s industrial development, the Gover nment of Singapore conferred
him with honorary Singapore citizenship in August 2008.
The launch of the Tata Indicom submarine cable in November 2004 provided a
f.
major new communications link between India and Singapore. It also helped
to increase Singapore’s global connectivity and strengthened Singapore’s
role as a communications hub in the Asia-Pacific.
In February 2005, Tata Iron and Steel Company Limited acquired NatSteel of
Singapore. With this, Tata Steel increased its manufacturing footprint to 7
countries in Asia. Today, over 15 Tata companies are present in Singapore,
in diverse areas including manufacturing, engineering, infocomm technology,
chemicals, energy, and financial services. They employ over 3,100 people
and own over US$7 billion worth of investments and assets.
TPI received tremendous support, help and guidance from the EDB, IE
Singapore and other Gover nment officials throughout my career in Singapore.
They helped us in building inter national contacts, and assisted our needs at
all times.
The person who really worked on Tata’s application was Mr Ng Pock Too,
who later became the Chairman of Hamilton Sunstrand. He still remains a
good friend of mine. We had also developed professional relationship and
friendship with Ngiam Tong Dong, Chan Chin Bok, Gopinath Pillai, Chandra
Das, and S. Dhanabalan. We received tremendous support from all of them
which had greatly helped me in developing TPI as one of the top precision
companies serving leading semi-conductor and computer industries of the
world. With TPI’s support, a number of Tata companies also set up their
operations in Singapore.
(Edited excerpts from memoirs by Mr Syamal Gupta, Special Advisor, Tata International Limited, Mumbai, together with
photograph contributions.)
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128
CONFEDERATION OF INDIAN INDUSTRIES (CII)
The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has a special interest in Singapore.
Since 1993, it has been sending a CII Core Group delegation to Singapore
annually to meet Singapore leaders and businessmen to discuss economic
policies and how to strengthen India-Singapore relations.
CII’s presence in Singapore dated back to 1994, when the CII Southeast Asia office
was opened in Singapore, coinciding with the Government of India’s “Look East”
policy. CII aims to broaden the economic relationship between ASEAN and India by
assisting industries in India, Singapore and through Singapore, ASEAN.
CII works closely with various ministries and agencies of the Government of
Singapore, as well as institutional partners from industries, academia and
think tanks.
The CII Core Group visits Singapore annually. It is led by the CII President
and comprises senior CII industry members. The visit involves meetings with
the Prime Minister of Singapore, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong
and key ministers in the Singapore gover nment to discuss economic policies
and measures to further strengthen bilateral economic relations.
The India-Singapore Strategic Dialogue (ISSD) is a Track-II Dialogue that
was started in May 2008 by the CII, the Aspen Institute and the Institute of
South Asian Studies. Participants are drawn from all walks of life: politics,
economics, defence, NGOs, the Foreign Service, industries, media, think
tanks, science and technology, and academia. The dialogues have provided
an important forum to discuss bilateral relations, create agendas for
cooperation and identify new avenues for partnership.
CII and the Singapore Business Federation established the Singapore-India
Partnership Foundation (SIPF) as a premier foundation between Singapore
and India. Launched in January 2006 by then Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong,
it aims to strengthen economic linkages, gover nment relations, academic
interaction and cultural understanding between the two countries.
CII has held a range of activities and events, such as the India Show in Singapore in
Forum and India@60. It holds sessions focusing on opportunities in India during
major events such as the Singapore International Water Week, the World Cities
b.
Summit, and the Singapore International Energy Week. Singapore also participates
actively in several major CII platforms, such as the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD),
the CII Partnership Summit, and the International Engineering Trade Fair. These
events help to forge links between Indian and Singaporean companies.
CII has also initiated the India Business Forum (IBF) in Singapore. The IBF was
launched in 2007 by Mr Pranab Mukherjee, then External Affairs Minister and
Mr Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore. Its objective
is to provide a platform for networking and knowledge-sharing among Indian
companies in Singapore.
IN D
a.
C II C ore Gro u p me mb e rs w i th Pri me
Minister L e e Hs i e n L o o n g a t th e I s ta n a o n
27 Nov em b e r 2012.
January 2011, the ASEAN-India Car Rally in 2004 and 2012, the India Infrastructure
The C II Co re Gro u p l e d b y th e Pre s i d e n t
of C II, Mr Ha ri S. B h a rti a w i th Se n i o r
Minister Go h Ch o k To n g a t th e I s ta n a o n
30 Nov em b e r 2010.
c.
Mr Tarun Da s , fo rme r Ch i e f Me n to r o f CI I ,
Minister Me n to r L e e Ku a n Ye w a n d Mr
Ratan Tata , Ch a i rma n o f Ta ta So n s d u ri n g
a dialogu e s e s s i o n a t th e Si n g a p o re
Sy mposiu m i n Ne w De l h i , I n d i a o n 16
December 2009.
( Source: Co n fe d e ra ti o n o f I n d i a n
Industries )
129
a.
b.
c.
S IN
130
a.
b.
PUNJ LLOYD
Since 2006, Singapore has been the regional headquarters for the Punj Lloyd
Group, a global EPC conglomerate. Through its subsidiaries, Punj Lloyd Pte
Ltd. and Sembawang Engineers & Constructors Pte Ltd., Punj has made
Singapore the base for its diversified operations in the Asia-Pacific.
Sembawang has constructed Southeast Asia’s longest urban underground
expressway, the Kallang Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE). The Land Authority
of Singapore has awarded it the rights to build subway stations on the Circle
Line and the Downtown Line, which are Singapore’s fourth and fifth Mass
Rapid Transit lines. This will boost connectivity for commuters living in the
easter n and wester n parts of Singapore, and ease their travel into the city.
Sembawang undertook the Terminal extension work at the Changi Airport,
comprising construction of two 500-metre-long two-storey “finger” buildings
and renovation of the existing building in-between.
Sembawang has been involved in the construction of Singapore’s tourist
infrastructure, such as the 6-star Four Seasons Hotel and the Resorts World
Sentosa. At Resorts World Sentosa, Sembawang was the contractor for the
Equarius Hotel, ESPA, beach villas, the oceanarium and a water theme park.
Sembawang was also contracted by Marina Bay Sands, an integrated resort in
the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District, for the construction of the
North Podium comprising the casino, theatres and retail arcade. Sembawang
is also building the new prison headquarters of the Changi Prison Complex
for the Singapore Prison Service. Sembawang also undertook the contract
for the residential high-rise McNair Towers, a public housing development
a.
project, for the Housing and Development Board of Singapore (HDB).
Singapore’s
IN D
attractive
infrastructure
financing,
talent
base
and
Bay front Sta ti o n , Si n g a p o re .
global
b.
connectivity also prompted the Punj Lloyd Group to set up its global head-
C ircle Lin e , Si n g a p o re .
quarters for international infrastructure development projects in Singapore.
( Source: Pu n j L l o yd )
a.
131
b.
INFOSYS
Infosys is a leading IT company in consulting, technology and outsourcing
solutions, with clients in more than 30 countries. It began as an entrepreneurial
venture with seven engineers and US$250, and is now a publicly listed
company with over 160,000 employees and annual revenues of more than
US$8.25 billion.
Infosys’ expertise spans industries. Its projects range from helping to build
lighter and stronger passenger jets and creating more fuel-efficient smart cars
to enabling banks to provide financial inclusion to the most remote cor ners
of the world. It helps enterprises transform through strategic consulting and
the co-creation of breakthrough solutions, including those in mobility, big
data and cloud computing.
With an investment of $6 million, Infosys has set up a software development
centre in Singapore. This centre currently has the capacity to seat 450
people, and plans for expansion are in the works. This centre will serve as
Infosys’ regional hub, serving its clients in the Southeast Asian region.
Infosys started the InStep Programme, its flagship inter nship programme, in
2005. Since then, it has attracted students from the Singapore Management
University
(SMU),
National
University
of
Singapore
(NUS),
Nanyang
Technological University (NTU) and INSEAD.
a.
Inauguration o f I n fo s ys De ve l o p me n t
C entre on 29 Octo b e r 2011.
b.
In 2014, the Singapore Human Resource Institute conferred Infosys with
the award for leading HR practices in e-Human Resource Management and
Manpower Resourcing and Planning.
Infosy s was g i ve n th e SHR I a w a rd i n 2014
for their HR p ra cti ce s .
( Source: In fo s ys )
S IN
132
a.
NATSTEEL
F ir s t e s t a blis h e d i n S i n g a p o re i n 1 9 6 1 as t he N at i onal Iron and S t eel
M ills , Na t S t ee l p l a y e d a n i m p o rt a n t rol e i n t he earl y d evel op ment and
indus t r ia lis a t i o n o f S i n g a p o re . I t h e l p ed t o shap e t he S i ngap ore sk yl i ne
by s upply ing s t e e l t o i c o n i c p ro j e c t s l ik e t he C hangi Int er nat i onal A i rp ort ;
t he S ing a po re H o u s i n g a n d De v e l o p m ent Board (H DB) est at es t hat d ot t he
b.
is la nd c it y ’s l a n d s c a p e ; t h e M a s s R a pi d Transi t l i nes; t he t wo i nt egrat ed
re s o r t s ; a nd d e v e l o p m e n t s i n t h e M a ri na Bay area, such as t he Mari na Bay
a.
F ina nc ia l Ce n t re .
In 2004, Ta t a S t e e l a n n o u n c e d t h a t i t woul d b e acq ui ri ng N at S t eel ’s st eel
NatSteel plant (picture taken in 1963).
Natsteel was the anchor tenant of the
Jurong Industrial Estate at the time.
bus ine s s . T h e a c q u i s i t i o n w a s c o m p l et ed on 16 Feb ruary 2005. In 2013,
b.
Na t S t e e l c o m m e m o ra t e d i t s g o l d e n j u bi l ee of st eel mak i ng. The cel eb rat i on
wa s
a t t e nde d
Cy r us M is t r y.
IN D
by
senior
Ta t a
e x e cut i ves
and
Tat a
Group
C hai rman
Mr Cyrus Mistry, Chairman of Tata Sons,
visiting the NatSteel plant on 19 August 2013.
(Source: NatSteel)
133
a.
VOLTAS
Voltas is India’s largest air conditioning company, and one of the world’s
premier engineering solutions providers and project specialists. It was
established in India in 1954, and is actively engaged in tur nkey projects
in fields such as electro-mechanical works, electrical power projects, and
environment and water pollution control.
Voltas’ office in Singapore was established in 2002. It focused on execution
of tur nkey projects in the mechanical and electrical field. Its signature
projects in Singapore include the following:
•
A district cooling plant for Sentosa;
•
Link Chambers for the Marina Bay Sands;
•
An administrative building for the National University Hospital;
•
The Changi Water Reclamation Plant;
•
Tunnel ventilation and environmental control systems for the
Marina Coastal Expressway; and
•
Phase 3B of a common services tunnel, for the Urban
Redevelopment Authority.
a.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with
Mr Ashok Soni, Managing Director of
Voltas Ltd. ( So u rce : Vo l ta s )
S IN
134
a.
STATE BANK OF INDIA (SBI)
The history of the State Bank of India, popularly known as SBI, dates back
to 1806. That was when its first predecessor, the Bank of Bengal, was set up
in Calcutta. Calcutta was then the headquarters of Bengal Presidency, which
also covered the island of Singapore. The Bank of Bombay was set up in 1840
and the Bank of Madras was set up in 1843. Under the Presidency Banks’ Act
of 1876, these three Presidency Banks were bought so that their activities
could be coordinated. They subsequently merged to form the Imperial Bank
of India in 1921. In 1955, the Indian Parliament transformed the Imperial
Bank into SBI.
SBI branches and ATMs, which are spread across more than 70,000 locations
in India, form an integral part of the Indian fabric. SBI also operates in 36
countries through its 190 offices. Its scale of operations, its gigantic clientele
base and its S$375 billion balance sheet combine to position it as one of
India’s premier institutions.
SBI set up an off-shore banking unit in Singapore in 1977. It operated from
its high-rise perch in the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) Building till
2008, when it acquired the privilege of being the first Indian Qualifying Full
IN D
a.
Bank in Singapore. Quick expansion followed, with seven branches and over
SBI’s offi ce i n Si n g a p o re ,
C ecil Stre e t B ra n ch .
20 ATMs set up island-wide. There are now SBI ATMs at all the terminals of
b.
Changi Airport, key tourist attractions, and even some MRT stations. SBI’s
Bank of Be n g a l .
street-level presence in Little India, heartlands such as Ang Mo Kio, and
c.
the Commercial Business District bears testimony to SBI’s commitment to
Imperial B a n k o f I n d i a .
Singapore and the strong economic relations between the two countries.
( Source: Sta te B a n k o f I n d i a )
135
b.
c.
S IN
136
RAMCO
Ramco Systems is a leading software company developing enterprise
resource planning (ERP) software based on cloud computing. The company
is part of the Ramco Group, a billion-dollar Indian conglomerate that runs
cement, cotton, synthetic yar n, wind energy and other businesses worldwide.
Since its foray into the ERP market in the nineties, Ramco has come a long
way. With over 1,000 customers across multiple industry verticals, Ramco is
a force to reckon with in the global cloud market.
Innovation has been the driving force in Ramco’s growth story. In view of
the huge growth potential of the cloud enterprise market, Ramco is focused
on creating a first-mover advantage with its cutting-edge solutions. Having
recognized the power of mobility, the company has already developed
applications on tablets, phones and even wearable devices like watches.
Such mobility effectively empowers users. Ramco’s clients include aircraft
maintenance companies, banks, gover nment agencies and manufacturers.
Over 20 years of intensive R&D fuels Ramco’s product development process.
The company has made a conscious decision to stay clear of the run-of-themill outsourcing and services businesses. Instead, it focuses on providing its
customers maximum value through innovative and flexible solutions. Ramco’s
cloud-based enterprise applications allow users to store and access data
and programmes using the Inter net instead of computers’ hard drives.
Ramco Systems is headquartered in Chennai, India, and its regional
headquarters for Asia-Pacific is in Singapore. The CEO and key members of
the global leadership team are based in Singapore as this region represents
a key market for the company. Ramco established its presence in Singapore
in 1995 as it recognised the importance of gaining a foothold in this region.
Its list of customers includes Singapore Post, Caterpillar, IBM and Tricor.
IN D
a.
137
b.
TECH MAHINDRA (TechM)
Te c h M a hindr a i s a s p e c i a l i s t i n d i g i t al t ransf ormat i on, consul t i ng and
bus ine s s -le d t e c h n o l o g y s o l u t i o n s . I t is a U S $3.1 b i l l i on comp any wi t h
92, 000 pro fe s s i o n a l s a c ro s s 5 1 c o u n t ri es, p rovi d i ng servi ces t o 632 gl ob al
c us t o me r s , inc l u d i n g F o rt u n e 5 0 0 c o m p ani es. It s consul t i ng, ent erp ri se and
t e le c o m s o lut i o n s , p l a t f o rm s a n d re u s a b l e asset s connect across a numb er
o f t e c hno lo g ie s t o d e l i v e r t a n g i b l e b u s i n ess val ue t o al l i t s st ak ehol d ers.
It is a pa r t of t h e U S $ 1 6 .5 b i l l i o n M a hi nd ra Group whi ch emp l oys more
t ha n 180, 000 p e o p l e i n o v e r 1 0 0 c o u n t ri es. The Group op erat es i n t he k ey
indus t r ie s t hat d ri v e e c o n o m i c g ro w t h , enj oyi ng a l ead ershi p p osi t i on i n
t r a c t o r s , ut ilit y v e h i c l e s , a f t e r- m a rk e t , i n f ormat i on t echnol ogy and vacat i on
o wne r s hip.
Ha v ing c ho s e n S i n g a p o re t o b e i t s R O W ( Rest of t he Worl d ) S al es H Q , TechM
s t a r t e d it s S in g a p o re o p e ra t i o n s i n 1 9 9 9. S i nce t hen, t he cent re has grown
s ubs t a nt ia lly b o t h i n t e rm s o f o p e ra t i onal geograp hy and i n cont ri b ut i ng
re v e nue . It c u rre n t l y h a s m o re t h a n 5 00 consul t ant s servi ci ng ab out 30
g o v e r nme nt , e n t e rp ri s e a n d b a n k i n g cust omers. S i ngap ore al so houses
Te c hM ’s Glo b a l I n n o v a t i o n H u b , a 2 6 0 - s eat d evel op ment and d at a cent re.
T he c e nt re is l i n k e d w i t h Te c h M ’s g l o b a l off i ces vi a hi gh- sp eed l i nk s.
Te c hM is a ls o i n v o l v e d i n n u m e ro u s c o rp orat e soci al i ni t i at i ves i n S i ngap ore,
inc luding s upp o rt f o r o l d - a g e h o m e s a n d vol unt ary b l ood d onat i on camp s.
a.
In a 2014 s t ud y, B u si n e s sw o rl d ra t e d TechM as t he f ast est - growi ng Ind i an
Tech Mahin d ra ’s o ffi ce i n Si n g a p o re .
c o m pa ny wit h re v e n u e s b e t w e e n U S $ 1 b i l l i on t o U S $8 b i l l i on. In t he same
b.
y e a r, Te c hM ’s C E O a n d M a n a g i n g Di re c tor was al so C N BC Busi ness Lead er
Tech Mahin d ra ’s ca mp u s i n Hyd e ra b a d .
o f t he Ye a r a n d E & Y E n t re p re n e u r o f t h e Year.
( Source: Te ch Ma h i n d ra )
S IN
CULTURAL LINKAGES
LI T TLE I N D IA
140
TH E I N D IA N HE RITAG E C E N T R E
147
I N DI A N CIN E M A IN S IN G A P O R E
149
I N DI A N A R T S IN S IN G A P O R E
156
FOOD
158
4
140
CH APTER F OUR: CULTURAL L I NKAGE S
“Tod na dena sathi dil
ki dor, jivan me ek baar
aana Singapur”
From the Singaporean enjoying an authentic Indian dish in Singapore’s Little
India district, to the Singaporean student volunteering in India, all the way to
the Indian film actors who have made Singapore the location for the filming of
their latest movies, what is clear is that the cultural linkages between the two
countries are alive and stronger than ever before. Boasting a rich history, the
Oh my friend, do not break
the strings of my heart. In
your life, you must visit
Singapore at least once.
encounters between India and Singapore continue to this very day as individuals
From the Hi ndi f ilm Sin g a p o r e
(1960) s tarri ng Sh a m m i Ka p o o r
arts, heritage and the archives on 5 February 1993.
and communities constantly flow back and forth across these boundaries. The
desire to strengthen these close cultural connections has even extended to the
official level – for example, Brigadier General (NS) George Yeo (Singapore) and
Mr Arjun Singh (India) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the
While the MOU recognises the historical cultural contacts between the two
countries, its aim of formalising those exchanges through a government-togovernment mode of contact is especially significant. It helps to strengthen the
Singapore-India relationship, in terms of both increasing cultural familiarity as
well as providing economic opportunities. India’s reasons for signing the MOU
included raising awareness of India in Singapore and attracting Singaporeans
to India for the purposes of trade, investment and tourism. On the Singapore
side, reasons included providing Singaporean businesspeople, entrepreneurs
and government officials who seek to venture in India with opportunities to
familiarise themselves with the culture of the country.
Furthermore, establishing cultural contact with India serves “not only to
contribute to Singaporean Indians’ ongoing engagement with their ancestral
culture, but more challengingly, to introduce major aspects of India’s cultural
richness to non-Indian Singaporeans”. 1 This chapter will explore the various
cultural exchanges between India and Singapore that have since followed,
including collaborations in the fields of music, dance, art, film, food, tourism,
travel and education.
LITTLE INDIA
Perhaps the most visible aspect of the Singapore-India connection is the
Indian district of Singapore, popularly known as “Little India”. Originally
known as Serangoon Road, it “provided employment opportunities for the
Indian community and served as a magnet for Indian immigrants in the mid19th century”. 2 Though it may seem to be a product of Singapore’s ethnic
Indian community rather than any current relationship between Singapore
and India, it is also home to many continuing physical, cultural and economic
links between the two countries. Little India is a space shaped by, and
indicative of, the many business and familial links between Singaporean
Indians and their counterparts in India. Many of the shop owners in
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141
Little India facilitate two-way trade between India and Singapore. In addition
to importing Indian products to sell in Singapore, they sell saris and electronic
goods to tourist-traders. These goods are then “resold when the touristtraders retur n to India”. 3
T he num e ro us s h o p s i n L i t t l e I n d i a s e l l i ng i t ems such as neck l aces, noser ing s a nd ban g l e s a re o f p a rt i c u l a r s i gni f i cance f or t he women of t he
c o m m unit y. Th i s i s b e c a u s e “ j e w e l l e ry i s very much a symb ol of many
im po r t a nt a s p e c t s o f l i f e f o r I n d i a n w omen”, i ncl ud i ng marri age. 4 S ome
o f t he o t he r I n d i a n g o o d s c o m m o n l y s ol d i n t he area i ncl ud e “veget ari an
fo o d, India n s w e e t m e a t s , t h a i ru , p a a n , ground sp i ce, Ind i an- Musl i m b read s
a nd c a k e , s e s a m e o i l , l i m e a n d m a n g o p i ck l es, garl and s, chol i s and ot her
India n c lo t hin g , t ra d i t i o n a l u n a n i a n d a y u rved i c med i ci ne”. 5 A l l t hese good s,
w he t he r t he y s e rv e a s i n g re d i e n t s f o r c o ok i ng, off eri ngs f or rel i gi ous ri t ual s,
or m e dic ina l p ro d u c t s , re v e a l t h e w a y in whi ch Li t t l e Ind i a as a sp ace i s
clo s e ly int e r t w i n e d w i t h t h e c u l t u ra l a n d d ai l y need s of t he l ocal p op ul at i on.
Little India also serves to increase the visibility of Singapore as an attraction for
tourists from India. Little India’s significance to Singapore’s tourism industry
is clear – “35 per cent of all international tourists, who totalled 9.7 million in
2006, spend some time in Little India”, and it is also “especially popular with
Indians”. 6 On a cultural level, Little India provides Singaporean Indians with
a space to express their Indian-ness. Not only does it fulfil their daily needs,
as it is “the only place which stocks daily and religious items”, it also serves
as a meeting point for them during festive and religious occasions. During
religious festivals and processions, “Serangoon Road on these occasions is
the representation of Indian-ness, Indian religion and culture”. 7
For visitors from India, the district forms a major part of their experience of
Singapore. For the Indian tourist visiting Singapore, Little India is a “part of
their packaged tour itinerary” and a place for “sampling Indian foods, buying
little curios and taking photographs”. 8 To the Indian migrant worker, it acts
as a space to “meet with friends, shop and visit temples”. 9 For the Indian
expatriate, it is “where they treat themselves to authentic Indian cuisine”
and “shop for ethnic items (rugs, paintings) for their homes”. 10 No matter
their background or their purpose of stay in Singapore, Little India plays a
significant role in the Indian’s experience of the city state.
Just a stroll around the area will reveal the religious diversity of Singapore’s
Indian community. Followers of Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism
(these being the most widely practised religions among Indians in Singapore)
can all find their respective places of worship within Little India. The area is
dotted with Hindu temples, mosques and gurdwaras, with some of the notable
institutions being the Central Sikh Gurdwara and Abdul Gafoor Mosque.
“Perhaps the most visible
aspect of the SingaporeIndia connection is the
Indian district of Singapore,
popularly known as “Little
India”... it is a space
shaped by, and indicative
of, the many business and
familial links between
Singaporean Indians and
their counterparts in India.”
S IN
142
4-1.
4-3.
4-1.
Festive decorations on sale at the
Deepavali bazaar along Campbell lane
in Little India.
4-2.
A view of the Deepavali light up in
Serangoon on 12 October 2010.
4-3.
The annual Deepavali light up at
Little India.
4-4.
Little India was transformed into a sea of
colourful lights on 23 September 2011 to
welcome Deepavali.
IN D
4-2.
4-4.
A shining example of the architectural
influence of India in Singapore is
the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
located in Little India. One of the
area’s most important landmarks and
one of Singapore’s oldest temples,
its “congregation has grown by about
30 per cent over the last decade”,
currently attracting around 5,000
devotees on Sundays alone.
While the temple serves as a reminder
of the role that India played in
Singapore’s early history – it started
life as a small shrine in 1835 by early
Tamil immigrants – its links to India
endure to this very day. As part of
a S$7 million makeover, a dozen
craftsmen from Tamil Nadu, India,
worked on painting “the temple’s
eight domes and decorative cement
fixtures on its ceilings and facade”,
as well as “restoring its 640 statues
and deities depicting scenes from
Hindu mythology”. 11
a.
Another temple that illustrates
the strong India connection in
Singapore’s cultural development is
the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on
Tank Road. In 2014, it was declared
Singapore’s 67th national monument,
in recognition of the Chettiar
community’s contributions to
Singapore’s national development. It
joined the Sri Mariamamman Temple
and Sri Srinavasa Perumal Temple as
the third Hindu temple to be made a
national monument in Singapore.
Established in 1859 by the Nattukotai
Chettiars, a historic community of
traders, merchants and financiers, the
b.
temple has been closely associated
with their economic activities. For
example the Chettiars’ Chamber of
Commerce was established within the
temple’s grounds in 1928. The temple
is also home to many religious and
cultural activities such as the Thaipusam
celebrations which it has been
organising for more than a century.
The temple’s architecture deserves
special mention too. Designed in
the South Indian style with modern
elements, its “5-tiered entrance tower
is decorated with colourful idols
handmade by Madras artisans”. 12
a
Sri Veerama ka l i a mma n Te mp l e .
b
Sri Thenda yu th a p a n i Te mp l e .
( Source: Th e Stra i ts Ti me s ©
Singapore Pre s s Ho l d i n g s L i mi te d .
144
Any look at Little India is not complete without a mention of Mustafa Centre,
a shopping emporium located in the heart of the district. What “started out as
a humble street stall run by the current CEO as an entrepreneurial 12-yearold” is now one of Singapore’s most recognisable shopping centres, with an
impressive size of more than 400,000 square feet. Housing everything under
the sun, Mustafa is “packed to the rafters with jewellery, electronics, books,
clothing, CDs and DVDs” as well as cosmetics, confectionery, household
items and even groceries. 13 One of the more recent additions to Mustafa is
its very own rooftop restaurant, boasting a stunning view of the surrounding
Little India area and offering both North and South Indian cuisine. What helps
make Mustafa so popular is the fact that in 2003 it became the first major
department store in Singapore to open twenty-four hours a day, making it
perfect for those who look forward to “shopping late into the twilight hours”. 14
As the focal point of Little India, Mustafa Centre has been responsible for
attracting a large bulk of those who visit the area, given that it has “become
a major tourist haunt and a promising location for employment and business
opportunities”. 15 In fact, the appeal of Mustafa among tourists is so strong
that on 25 March 2004, Mustaq Ahmad was named Tourism Entrepreneur
of the Year by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). According to the STB,
Ahmad had contributed greatly to Singapore’s tourism industry, with his
stores having gained status as must-visit destinations for the three hundred
thousand Indian tourists who visited Singapore in 2004. Having transformed
“an area that was much regarded as a sleepy hollow and inert shanty district”
into a precinct that is “now beaming with life and activity both day and
night”, 16 Mustafa Centre has played a significant role in encouraging not only
those living in Singapore, but even tourists from abroad to come to Little
India and experience Indian culture within Singapore.
Another aspect to Mustafa which highlights the strength of the SingaporeIndia relationship is the availability of Indian goods in the shopping centre.
One of the shopping centre’s original concepts was to maintain a wide
selection of goods sourced from overseas, particularly India, such as food
products and spices. This remains a key feature even today. This exposes
Singaporean shoppers to items from India, leading to greater awareness
within the country about Indian culture and the products that form part of
everyday life in India.
IN D
4-5.
Late-night shoppers buying sparklers from
one of several shops in Campbell Lane in
Little India to welcome Deepavali on 17
October 2009.
4-6.
Shoppers at Mustafa Centre’s supermarket.
4-7.
Crowd outside Mustafa, Little India’s
biggest department store.
permission.)
4-5.
145
4-6.
4-7.
S IN
Ha ji M o ha m e d M u s t a f a w a s b o r n
in India t o a f a rm i n g f a m i l y, a n d
c a me t o S ing a p o re i n 1 9 5 2 t o s e l l
f o o ds t uffs f ro m a m a k e s h i f t c a rt .
In 1956, his s o n , M u s t a q A h m a d
– t he c ur re nt C E O o f M u s t a f a
Ce nt re – c a m e f ro m I n d i a t o j o i n
him in s e lling t e a a n d b re a d , a n d
e v e nt ua lly m o v e d o n t o s e l l i n g
ha ndke rc hie f s n e x t t o t h e f o o d
s t a ll. M us t a q ’s p a s s i o n f o r b u s i n e s s
impre s s e d hi s f a t h e r s o m u c h t h a t
t he f a m ily mov e d i n t o t h e re t a i l
c lo t hing busi n e s s .
Serangoon Road, where business
expanded rapidly. It redefined itself
as a department store with an evergrowing number of customers.
To accommod at e t he sp eed y growt h
of i t s b usi ness, i t shi f t ed agai n t o
Serangoon P l az a i n 1985. In 1995,
i t f i nal l y moved t o i t s current l ocat i on
– Must af a C ent re, a 75,000 sq uare
foot d ep art ment st ore wi t h a 130room hot el , l ocat ed al ong S yed A l wi
R oad i n Li t t l e Ind i a. S i nce t hen i t
h as cont i nued t o ex p and , and i t now
occup i es around 400,000 sq uare f eet
In 1971, Ahmad expanded the
of ret ai l sp ace. It has even vent ured
family business, setting up a small
i nt o regi onal ex p ansi on, d eep eni ng
500 square foot shop in Campbell
i t s rel at i onshi p wi t h Ind i a f urt her. In
Lane selling ready-made garments.
2 000, i t op ened i t s f i rst out l et out si d e
He named it Mohamed Mustafa, after Si ngap ore i n C hennai , Ind i a – an
his father. Two years later, the shop
8 ,000 sq uare f oot j ewel l ery shop
shifted into larger premises along
cal l ed Must af a Gol d mart . 17
a.
Mustaq Ah ma d , ma n a g i n g d i re cto r o f
Mohamed Mu s ta fa & Sa ms u d d i n Co . ,
which run s Mu s ta fa . ( So u rce : T h e Stra i ts
Times © Si n g a p o re Pre s s Ho l d i n g s
Limited. R e p ri n te d w i th p e rmi s s i o n . )
a.
147
4-8.
4-9.
THE INDIAN HERITAGE CENTRE
The inauguration of the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) in 2015 will further
enrich the vibrant Little India precinct. Its galleries will showcase, among
other things, “the lives of Indians in Singapore of times gone by”, as well as
focus on the contributions made by Indian communities in Singapore both
past and present.
The 2009 conceptualisation of the IHC was the product of the MOUs
signed by the National Heritage Board (Heritage Institutions Division) with
representatives from the Chinese, Malay and Indian communities.
In his speech at the site dedication ceremony on 16 August 2011, President
S. R. Nathan said that the IHC would help educate Indian communities in
Singapore, particularly Indian youth, about their history, culture and heritage.
On the choice of site for the Centre, Mr Nathan noted that
4-8 - 4-9.
View of the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC)
in the vibrant Little India precinct.
(Source: Courtesy of National Heritage
Board / Robert Greg Shand Architects)
“The IHC’s site, a t the crossroads of Campbell Lane and Clive Street,
is an ideal loca tion as it situa tes the building right a t the heart of the
Little India precinct. The Little India precinct still contains evidence
of the various trades and industries of our Indian forefa thers who
had established roots and set up businesses in Singa pore. It offers
examples of both ‘living’ tangible and intangible Indian herita ge
tha t visitors will be able to experience after a visit to the IHC.”
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T he de s ig n f o r t h e I H C b u i l d i n g w a s chosen vi a an archi t ect ural d esi gn
c o mpe t it io n, a n d t h e w i n n i n g p i e c e w as sub mi t t ed b y Rob ert Greg S hand
A rc hit e c t s in c o l l a b o ra t i o n w i t h U R B N arc P t e Lt d . The st ruct ure i s a f usi on
o f t r a dit io nal I n d i a n a n d m o d e r n d e s i gn, i nsp i red b y t he b a ol i (a t yp e of
India n s t e pw e l l ) . T h e I H C , w h i c h w i l l s e r ve as a sp ace f or t he ap p reci at i on of
India n c ult ure , w a s d e s i g n e d t o “ s h i n e l i k e a j ewel i n t he d ay and t ransf orm
int o a g lo wi n g l a n t e r n a t n i g h t ” t o c el eb rat e t he d i versi t y of t he Ind i an
c o mmunit y.
The two-storey IHC building will have five thematic permanent galleries
exhibiting the “history of Singapore’s Indian community as well as their links
with the global Indian diaspora”. 18 These galleries will focus on two aspects
of this heritage:
•
Pioneers of the Indian community in Singapore – their social and
political contributions and their integration into moder n Singapore;
•
History of the Indian sub-continent and Southeast Asia, such as the
roots and migration patter ns of Singapore Indians.
T he 250 a r t e f a c t s a t I H C w e re s o u rced f rom over 40 l ocal and f orei gn
c o mmunit y l e n d e rs a n d d o n o rs . T h e y comp ri se “war t i me p ub l i cat i ons
do na t e d by M r S . R . N a t h a n , t e m p l e j ewel l ery on l oan f rom t he S ai gon
Che t t ia r s ’ Te m p l e Tru s t , h e i rl o o m s c ont ri b ut ed b y p i oneeri ng S i ngap ore
India n fa m ili e s s u c h a s M r G n a n a p ra gasam P i l l ai and Dr R. Gangat haran
D a v a r, a nd p o l i c e m e m o ra b i l i a l o a n e d b y Mr S arj i t S i ngh S /O N aranj an
S ing h. ” 19
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INDIAN CINEMA IN SINGAPORE
Indians played a significant role as filmmakers in Singapore during the heyday
of the Singaporean film industry.
While World War II led to a slowdown in the production of local films, it
was in 1947 that the industry experienced a revival, with the Shaw brothers
(of the Shaw Brothers Film Production empire) launching Malay films under
Malay Film Productions.
What is interesting is how the Shaw brothers, in their strategy to dominate
the Malay film market, often approached Indian filmmakers to direct their
films. This was because Malay audiences not only tended “to prefer Indian
directorial style” but “also favoured Indian films because they could relate to
both plot and culture”. 20
Furthermore, the long tradition of filmmaking in India meant that Indian
directors had considerable experience compared to filmmakers in Singapore
and Malaya, thus making them the popular choice to direct such films.
“The “Bollywood” song and dance style in Malay movies was enjoyed not
only by Malays but also many Singaporean Chinese. The Shaws’ stable of
Indian directors for the next two decades read like a who’s-who of Malay
cinema - B. S. Rajhans, S. Ramanathan, L. Krishnan, K. R. S. Shastry, Phani
Majumdar, Kidar Sharma, Dhiresh Ghosh, K. M. Basker and B. N. Rao.” 21
Through years of personally directing Singaporean films, as well as by passing
on their knowledge to the Singaporean directors who would later take over,
these Indian directors left a lasting legacy by laying down “the basis for the
development of this golden age of Singapore cinema.” 22
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4-10.
4-11.
4-12.
Tamil Cinema
Tamil cinema, popularly known as “Kollywood”, is extremely popular in
Singapore – not only because of the sizeable proportion (7.9 per cent) of
Singapore’s resident population who are of Indian, mainly Tamil descent,
but also because of the country’s large population of migrant workers,
many of whom hail from the state of Tamil Nadu. The Inter national Tamil
Film Awards, a ceremony honouring the best of Tamil cinema, has already
chosen Singapore as its host venue thrice since it began in 2003. The
latest ceremony in Singapore took place in 2012. The historical relationship
between Tamil cinema and Singapore dates back several decades. Between
the 1950s and the 1970s, there were several cinemas located around North
Bridge Road that specialised in showing Tamil movies, including the Royal
Theatre and the Diamond Theatre, a “$250,000 joint venture between Indian
jeweller Kassim Mohamed Oli Mohamed and Cathay Organisation’s founder
Loke Wan Tho.” 23 In 1973, the film Ullagam Sutram Vallibhan was shot in
several Asian countries, including Singapore. The relationship between the
4-10.
Kollywood actress Asin accepting the Best
Actress award for her role in the film
Dasavathaaram at the International Tamil
Film Awards, which is touted as Tamil
cinema’s equivalent of the Oscars. The
ceremony was held on 16 May 2009 at the
Max Pavilion in Singapore Expo.
4-11.
South Indian actress and dancer
Meghna Naidu performing on stage at the
International Tamil Film awards, which
held its third edition at the Singapore Expo
on 3 March 2012.
4-12.
Rex C inema o n Ma cke n zi e R o a d , w h i ch
screens th e l a te s t Ta mi l fi l ms . ( I ma g e b y
Rinisha Du tt)
two countries in this regard grew from strength to strength over this period,
with Singapore providing one of “the main locations for the shooting of
Priya (1978), Varuvan Vedi Velan (1978), and Ninaithaale Inikum (1979)”. 24
The trend has continued to the present day as several Tamil films have been
recently shot in Singapore including Kan Pesum Vaarthaigal (2013), Inga Enna
Solluthu (2014) and Chennai Singapore (2015).
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4-13.
Diamond T h e a tre a t No rth B ri d g e R o a d
in the 1970s . T h e ci n e ma s p e ci a l i s e d i n
showing Ta mi l mo vi e s .
151
4-13.
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4-14.
4-15.
4-16.
4-17.
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Hindi Cinema
The history of Singapore has seen the coming and going of several cinemas
which have shown mainstream Hindi (popularly known as “Bollywood”) films,
yet for much of the late 2000s, there was only one cinema in Singapore where
moviegoers could watch Hindi films – Bombay Talkies, a Hindi specialist cinema.
The way in which this situation has changed dramatically over the past few
years demonstrates the growing influence of Hindi cinema in Southeast Asia.
Since 2011, Singapore’s leading cinema exhibitor, Golden Village, which has
11 multiplexes and over 73 screens around the island, started offering Hindi
films for viewing in several of its locations alongside its offering of mainstream
Hollywood films. The impact of this on Hindi cinema’s accessibility in Singapore
cannot be understated. The popularity and accessibility of Golden Village
cinemas have greatly expanded the reach of Hindi cinema in Singapore.
There is another development in the story. While Golden Village used to
screen one Hindi film at a time, since 2014 it has begun to show multiple Hindi
films at once, reflecting the growing demand among Singapore’s filmgoers
for Hindi films. Furthermore, the fact that Hindi films are being shown and
advertised in Golden Village cinemas, which primarily screen Hollywood films
(the most popular form of cinema in Singapore), suggests that Hindi cinema
may be gaining greater exposure (if not in terms of viewing, at least in terms
of awareness) among many filmgoers in Singapore.
4-14.
Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra
acting as journalists in the Bollywood film,
Krrish. The film crew started their 60-day
filming in Singapore outside the Singapore
Tourism Board (STB) building at Orchard
Spring Lane.
The 2006 film Krrish, starring Hritik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra, was “the first
international Indian blockbuster film to be shot in Singapore under the Singapore
Tourism Board’s Film-in-Singapore subsidy scheme”. 25 It was filmed in Singapore
between 15 September 2005 and 10 November 2005 and “more than 60 per cent
of the film was shot in Singapore”. 26 Locations featured included the Singapore
4-15.
A still from the movie Pyaar Impossible,
starring Uday Chopra and Priyanka Chopra,
which featured Singapore locations such
as Sentosa, The Esplanade and Clarke
Quay. (Source: Apunka Choice)
Zoo, Robinson Road, Wild Wild Wet, the National Library, Lau Pa Sat, the Old
Hill Street Police Station, Boat Quay, the Esplanade, Chinatown, and Pulau Ubin.
The setting of Singapore helped to create the science-fiction feel of Krrish as
“aerial shots of the cityscape showcase the futuristic skyline, with buildings
4-16.
Bollywood actors Chunky Pandey (in
yellow shirt) and Katrina Kaif (wearing
sunglasses) on an outdoor location shoot
at Clarke Quay in Singapore, for the 2009
Bollywood film De Dana Dan.
4-17.
Indian film director Priyadarshan,
Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif, associate
director Abilash Nair, a Singaporean,
and a crew member at the film set of
Bollywood movie De Dana Dan. The film
is director Priyadarshan’s latest action
comedy, and 70 per cent of the film is
being shot on location in Singapore. The
director said that he chose to shoot the
film here because of the visually arresting
views of Singapore.
framed from side angles to present their high-tech and shiny facades of
steel, concrete and glass”. 27 Even the spiked dome roof of the Esplanade
was “framed to resemble a giant science laboratory or a spaceship”. 28
For the diasporic Indian audience in Singapore, Krrish promotes Singapore “as
a modern destination that is culturally and economically similar to the new rich
of India and the lifestyles of its middle-class diaspora”. 29
Since Krrish, two other high-profile films, De Dana Dan and Pyaar Impossible,
have been set and filmed in Singapore. The spectacle of Singapore is conveyed
in these films as an attractive “regional tourist destination to India” as well
as part of a glamourous lifestyle enjoyed by the expatriates who characterise
India’s new global generation. 30 The female protagonist in Krrish, played
by Priyanka Chopra, is portrayed as a non-resident Indian. She once again
reprised her role as a highly successful non-resident Indian living in Singapore
in the 2010 movie Pyaar Impossible.
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The 2009 film De Dana Dan, starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif,
showcased similarly iconic locations in Singapore such as Raffles Place,
Clarke Quay, Marina Barrage and the Pan Pacific Hotel.
Bengali Cinema
In addition to Kollywood and Bollywood, films from other regions in India
have gained a growing following in Singapore in recent years. One such
example is Bengali cinema, popularly known as “Tollywood” (named after the
Tollygunge district in South Kolkata, India where around 130 Bengali films
are produced every year).
4-18.
F o r ma ny y ea rs , B e n g a l i f i l m f a n s i n S i ngap ore f ound i t d i ff i cul t t o f i nd
Be ng a li film s t o w a t c h i n t h e c i n e m a o r p urchase on DVD. In 2012 however,
t he D a r pa n B e n g a l i F i l m F e s t i v a l , w h i ch b egan i t s f i rst ed i t i on t hat year
in S ing a po re a n d “ d re w a u d i e n c e s o f cl ose t o 3,000”, b ecame t he f i rst
film f e s t iv a l i n t h e S o u t h e a s t A s i a n regi on t o mak e a wi d e sel ect i on of
c o nt e mpo r a ry B e n g a l i f i l m s a v a i l a b l e f or p ub l i c vi ewi ng.
In fact, the festival was so successful that it was even able to win over new
fans in Singapore, including bank officer Ng Chee Yang, the Treasurer of the
Singapore Film Society, who watched Bengali films for the first time at the
festival and enjoyed them so much for their “subtle, refined style” that he
ended up attending almost every screening. 31
Since then, the festival has grown in leaps and bounds, signifying the increasing
appetite among Singapore filmgoers for Bengali films. Whilst the inaugural festival
in 2012 showcased 7 films, the following year saw 15 films being screened – more
than double the number. That year, the majority of the films were also opened by
award winning short films made by students from LASALLE, Singapore’s leading
4-19.
arts college. The 2014 edition of the festival expanded to include cinema from
other regions of India, featuring Bhojpuri, Tamil and Marathi films.
Indian Inter national Film Academy Awards
The Indian Inter national Film Academy Awards (IIFA) “functions as a roving
exhibition of Bollywood’s masala movie magic, and unlike its Wester n
counterparts – France’s Cannes Film Festival or the USA’s Academy Awards
– the awards ceremony moves from city to city. In its 18 years, the show –
honouring the best in North Indian cinema that year – has been in 12 cities
including London, Johannesburg, Amsterdam, Dubai and Colombo”. 32 Apart
4-18.
Indian actor Anil Kapoor of Slumdog
Millionaire fame posing for a photo in front
of the Merlion at the Merlion Park after
the press conference of the International
Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2012.
4-19.
Shahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao, Indian
movie idols at the Bollywood Oscars, the
5th International Indian Film Academy
(IIFA) Awards, which was held at the
Singapore Indoor Stadium in 2004.
from Macau, Singapore has been the only city to host the awards show more
than once – first in 2004, and then again in 2012.
The IIFA-Singapore relationship has been highly successful in that it has
worked to the benefit of both. Not only did IIFA provide an opportunity to
generate investment and interest from Singapore in India’s film industry as
well as give Bollywood stars the chance to raise their global profile and
connect with fans in Singapore, it also had a strong positive impact on
Singapore’s tourism industry. Singapore, “according to the numbers provided
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4-20.
Bollywood’s hottest star Shahrukh Khan at
the 5th International Indian Film Academy
(IIFA) Awards, held at the Singapore Indoor
Stadium.
4-21.
The International Indian Film Academy
Awards in 2004 held at the Indoor Stadium
had a Singapore flavour. The stage was
decorated with familiar homegrown
elements like The Merlion, bamboo canes
155
4-20.
4-21.
and Peranakan tiles. The local flavour
is further spiced up with about 50 local
talents performing to familiar tunes like
Di Tanjong Katong and Singapura remixed
with a modern beat.
4-22.
4-22.
Actors Anil Kapoor and Bipasha Basu on
stage in Singapore to announce that the
International Indian Film Academy Awards
would be held in Singapore in June 2012.
4-23.
Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on
the red carpet for the Zee Cine Awards held
at Marina Bay Sands on 14 January 2011.
4-24.
Model-turned-actress Deepika Padukone at
the Zee Cine Awards 2011.
4-23.
4-24.
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by Wizcraft, saw an increase of 31 per cent in its tourism revenues in the
week of IIFA 2004, which was held in the city-state. The 2004 event generated
tourism receipts totalling SGD $17 million”. 33
The relationship is clearly working - the Singapore Tourism Board and the
Media Development Authority (MDA) “announced that SGD $100 million will be
available for the co-production of Indian films shot in Singapore over the next
seven years – Singapore is set to be a regular stop on this celluloid circuit.” 34
At IIFA 2004, “a contingent of over 450 stars, celebrities, cricketers,
industrialists and government leaders were present at the 3-day weekend”.
4-25.
That year, “the IIFA Management showcased the IIFA Foundation Celebrity
Football Match. Held at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore, the team lineup
comprised the glitterati of Indian Cinema and Singapore’s football fraternity.” 35
Held both times at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, the 2004 awards ceremony
was hosted by actor Rahul Khanna, while the 2012 ceremony featured actors
Shahid Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar as co-hosts.
Zee Cine Awards
Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands played host to the 12th annual Zee Cine
Awards in January 2011. Hosted by Akshay Kumar and Sajid Khan, the
highly-anticipated awards show saw Bollywood’s finest film stars recognised
for their contributions to the Hindi film industry. Attending the event and
appearing on the red carpet was a galaxy of India’s brightest stars, including
Hrithik Roshan, Boman Irani, Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Karan Johar,
Sonakshi Sinha and Deepika Padukone.
INDIAN ARTS IN SINGAPORE
Live Music Entertainment
The current high demand for live Indian entertainment in Singapore can be
seen from the fact that high-profile musicians, music-composing duos, and
groups such as A. R. Rahman, Vishal-Shekhar, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Shreya
Ghoshal, Farhan Akhtar, Sonu Nigam and Sukhwinder Singh have all performed
in Singapore over the past few years. While commercial Tamil and Hindi music
are arguably the forms of Indian music that have gained the largest audiences
and biggest profits in Singapore in terms of radio airplay, album sales and
concert ticket sales (arguably the biggest profit maker of all), Indian music in
Singapore is by no means limited to these two genres.
Outside the sphere of Indian film music, other Indian musicians have made
similarly high-profile appearances in Singapore. These include notable
classical Indian musicians (such as Shubha Mudgal and Shujaat Khan) as well
as independent musicians from other genres of Indian music, including folk
and rock (such as Delhi’s Indian Ocean and Bangalore’s Agam and The Raghu
Dixit Project). Many come to perform at festivals, notably the Singapore Indian
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4-26.
157
Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) Festival; others make individual appearances. Indian
Ocean and The Raghu Dixit Project have both headlined “Kalaa Utsavam”,
an annual Indian cultural festival at the Esplanade, playing in the very same
concert halls as their Kollywood and Bollywood counterparts and reaching
audiences just as large. These diverse representations of live Indian music in
Singapore show that Indian music, in all its varied forms, has been able to find
a footing among Singaporean audiences.
In addition to the temporary appearances of Indian musicians, more regular
fixtures in the Singapore entertainment scene can be seen in the clubs and pubs
4-27.
that play Indian music. There are at least four Bollywood-themed bars where
club-goers can experience a taste of India’s night life by dancing to DJs spinning
Hindi tunes. The fact that all four clubs are cleverly located in Singapore’s most
popular nightlife spots, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, ensures not only heavy
traffic, but also the possibility of Indian music gaining prominence in a clubbing
scene dominated by European and American dance music.
Dance
4-28.
T h e p op ul ari t y t hat Ind i an d ance has gai ned i n S i ngapore is evident from
t he vari et y of p urp oses i t serves and t he d i ff erent i nt erests it cater s to. For
e x amp l e, i t i s p op ul ar i n S i ngap ore as a f orm of ent ert ai nment that audiences
c an enj oy wat chi ng at art s f est i val s, t heat re p rod uct i on s, competitions and
c ommuni t y event s. The growi ng d emand f or such p erfor mances is evident
f rom t he ri ch cul t ure of p erf ormi ng among Ind i ans i n Singapore, so much
s o t hat “a new cl assi cal and cont emp orary Ind i an dance company” in
S ingap ore, C howk P rod uct i ons, was l aunched i n May 2014.
4-25.
Held at the Esplanade – Theatres On
The Bay is a vibrant Indian arts festival
called Kalaa Utsavam. One of the
highlights was a Bhangra party which saw
700 partygoers shimmying to the sounds
of Bally Sagoo and Sukhbir. (Source: The
S ingap ore has p l ayed an esp eci al l y i mp ort ant rol e i n providing platfor ms
f or Ind i an d ance art i st s. In ad d i t i on t o organi si ng events and festivals in
c ol l ab orat i on wi t h d ance comp ani es and t heat re venues, the Singapore
g over nment has al so hel p ed p rovi d e f und i ng t o sup p or t such productions.
T h e “$80,000 seed grant whi ch t he N at i onal A rt s C ouncil awarded” to Chowk
P rod uct i ons, head ed b y cl assi cal l y t rai ned d ancer Rak a Maithr a, is just one
4-26.
A seven-hour performance of the
Mahabharata was the highlight of a 6pm6am Singapore Arts Festival performance
in Little india. It was done in the
300-year-old Kathakali style, a classical
dance form from Kerala and one of the
oldest styles of theatre in the world, in
which performance usually centre around
the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.
(Source: Bhaskar’s Arts Academy)
e x amp l e of t he gover nment ’s many eff ort s t o ensure that the tr aditions of
I nd i an d ance cont i nue t o st ay rel evant and accessi b l e in Singapore. 3 6
Outside the sphere of professional performers, there are numerous Indian
dance classes that one can sign up for. Many of these are conducted as fitness
and exercise classes, while others are intended for those who seek to train
in the art of Indian dance. The traditional Indian dance form Bharatanatyam,
for example, “was introduced to Singapore in the 1950s and is taught at
4-27.
Rangoli On CDs on display at Kalaa
Utsavam Indian Festival Of Arts 2013.
permission.)
about 10 institutions here”. 37 On the other hand, Sport Singapore’s Active SG
4-28.
A Kalaa Utsavam performance at the
Esplanade Outdoor Theatre in 2014.
(Image by Deeparghya Mukherjee)
Singapore citizens and permanent residents who sign up for the movement’s
Movement, which was launched on the 26th of April 2014 as a government
initiative to “encourage Singaporeans of all ages and from all walks of life to
take up sports”, has included Indian dance as part of its sports selections. All
free membership scheme have the option of joining various programmes,
including “Masala Bhangra, an Indian dance-based workout”. 38
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Kaal a Ut s av a m
S i nce 2002, the arts festival Kalaa Utsavam has been held annually at
Singapore’s premier arts centre, the Esplanade. The festival is held during the
festive period of Deepavali and celebrates the best of Indian performances
in both its traditional and contemporary forms. Due to its popularity, what
originally began as a three-day affair has now become a ten-day festival
featuring Indian music, dance, theatre and literary arts.
From showcasing traditional Indian styles of dance and music to more
experimental music and dance productions from both India and Singapore,
Kalaa Utsavam’s “diverse programming has been drawing arts lovers
to the festival year after year”. In fact, many of the performance feature
collaborations between Singaporean and Indian artists. The “joy and beauty
of dance, music, expression and story-telling” evident in its productions
have allowed the festival to attract “an audience from all races”. The sheer
range of performances reflects both the regional as well as artistic diversity
of India.
While previous editions of the festival showcased some of the top classical
artists, in 2014 it shifted its focus to introducing Singapore’s audiences to
artists from the next generation who have reimagined and reinvented classical
dance and music forms. Speaking on the 2014 edition of Kalaa Utsavam
which included three new works by Singapore artists (two of which were
commissioned by the Esplanade), home-grown director and actress Daisy
Irani of HuM Theatre mentioned that the festival is “a complete validation
that the Indian theatre culture is just as rooted in Singapore as it is in India”. 39
Indian Writers’ Festival
The first Indian Writers’ Festival, a landmark literary event for Singapore,
was held in 2009 at the Pod at the National Library of Singapore. The festival
was organised by India Se magazine and the India Club, and was sponsored
by the National Library Board and the National Arts Council of Singapore.
The festival featured some of the biggest names in Indian writing and film,
including India’s leading female author and social commentator Shobhaa De,
as well as Loveleen Tandan, co-director and scriptwriter of the Oscar-winning
film Slumdog Millionaire. Also in attendance were Sudeep Chakravarti, author
of Tin Fish; Anita Jain, author of Marrying Anita; and Venita Coelho, who
has written several film scripts for leading Bollywood director Karan Johar.
FOOD
Food is perhaps the most tangible aspect of Indian culture that is incredibly
popular in Singapore among people from all walks of life. For a country such
as Singapore, which prides itself on the diversity and affordability of its local
food, Indian cuisine has played an important role in shaping the flavours
of the foods that Singapore often highlights as a selling point to tourists
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4-29.
159
4-30.
from around the world. Visit any hawker centre in Singapore and you will
undoubtedly find at least one stall dedicated to serving Indian food.
Over the years, several Indian dishes – many of which originate from the regions
of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where the majority of Indian settlers in Singapore
migrated from – have come into contact with both Chinese and Malay cuisine
and have taken on some of their flavours and styles of cooking. One popular
example is nasi briyani, a local variation of the popular dish biryani which can
be found all over India. Nasi briyani has become synonymous with both Indian
and Malay food stalls in Singapore, and in fact is so popular even among nonIndians in Singapore that it has become a staple at Malay weddings. In other
cases, the dishes that the first few generations of Indian migrants brought
with them have changed so dramatically that nothing remotely like them can
be found in India, making them unique to Singapore. All these dishes have
come to form part of what is now known as Singaporean cuisine. Such dishes
include Indian rojak and murtabak.
Several dishes in particular which deserve special mention, given their iconic
status in Singaporean culture, are fish head curry, roti prata and teh tarik.
4-29.
Mr Abdhus Salam, who runs an Indian
rojak stall at the Ayer Rajah Food Centre
with his father.
The roti prata (Singapore’s twist on the Indian paratha) is a breakfast staple
4-30.
Indian street food vendor Gulab Singh
from New Delhi at the World Street Food
Congress 2013 in Singapore, ser ving
various types of sev – crispy bits made
of wheat and gram flour, peanuts and
crunchy peas – mixed with spoonfuls of
chutney and yogurt, including batata puri,
bhel puri and pavbhaji.
makes for a gratifying meal, especially in the mor nings”, 40 and can be cooked
of the ubiquitous Singaporean coffee shop, or Kopitiam. It combines the
in Singapore. While roti means “bread” and prata means “flat”, the dish
resembles a pancake. It has a “lightly flavoured and subtle sweet dough that
with a range of fillings as diverse as cheese, onion, banana, durian, red bean
and chocolate. Its ability to work both as a savoury dish and a dessert helps
to explain its popularity among all kinds of people with different tastes and
preferences, and it is often served with a vegetable or meat-based curry.
Teh tarik, which loosely translates as “pulled tea” in Malay, is a mainstay
milky sweetness of the Indian chai with the frothiness of the cappuccino.
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4-31.
4-32.
4-31.
MTR Set Meal from MTR 1924,
a popular Indian restaurant chain which
recently opened its first overseas branch
in Serangoon Road.
4-32.
Muthu’s fish head curr y.
4-33.
Roti Prata from Casuarina Road.
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4-33.
161
Its preparation process derives from the Indian method of making milk tea,
which consists of pouring the tea repeatedly back and forth from one container
to the other at a height, making for a visually exciting experience that precedes
the simple satisfaction of sipping on a freshly brewed, hot cup of frothy tea.
Fish head curry, “originally created by Singapore’s Malayalee (an Indian ethnic
group from the Southern Indian state of Kerala) community”, is a perfect example
of the extent to which Indian culinary influences in Singapore have become so
deeply infused with Chinese and Malay cooking traditions. It is prepared by
stewing the head of a red snapper fish in a spicy curry with vegetables. There
are a variety of ways to enjoy this dish. For example, Chinese Singaporeans
sometimes prefer to “wipe the curry grave clean with a soft bun”, while the
Indians tend to have it “with rice, poppadum and Indian pickle”. 41
Apart from the Indian flavours that have found their way into Singapore’s local
cuisine, the popularity of traditional Indian food among Singaporeans shows
that food has provided a powerful cultural link in the story of Singapore and
India’s relations with each other. Cuisine from almost every region in India
can be found in Singapore, and one need not look further than Little India for
such a varied mix. On Little India’s Race Course Road itself are a series of
restaurants representing the regional diversity of Indian cuisine. These range
from Indian Chinese food originally created by the Chinese community that
settled in the Tangra region of Kolkata, to biryani from the southern Indian city
of Hyderabad, all the way to food from the mountainous region of Kashmir.
In recent years fine dining Indian restaurants have sprouted across Singapore
in prime locations: such as Punjab Grill at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands,
Yantra at Tanglin Mall, The Grand Palki at Regent Hotel, Rang Mahal Pavilion
at Resorts World Sentosa, and Earl of Hindh at Quayside Isle. This signifies
the increasing appetite among Singaporeans for moder n Indian cuisine,
which is informed by the experimental fusions of Indian and Wester n styles
of cooking which are flourishing in India.
Conversely, other Indian food establishments in Singapore have been able to
maintain their popularity by straying from the moder n approach that Indian
fine dining restaurants have taken. Samy’s Curry at Dempsey Road, which
stuck “to the tradition of serving food on banana leaves”, and Muthu’s Curry,
which went “back to basics with handmade tiles and special pillars” for
its revamped outlet at Suntec City, are examples of restaurants that have
incorporated traditional concepts into their marketing strategies as well as
their interior designs. 42
In 2013, the popular South Indian restaurant chain Mavalli Tiffin Rooms
(MTR) opened its first Singapore outlet in Serangoon Road. MTR was first
set up in 1924 in Bangalore, India. The restaurant’s Bangalore roots, which
are proudly flaunted, represent “something that strikes a chord with diners”.
With their efforts “to bring back the old charm and rich culture of India”,
these restaurants reveal the appeal that the nostalgic vision of India carries
in the imaginations of Singaporeans. 43
S IN
NEW COMMUNITIES
AND CONNECTIONS
P ROFES S IO N A L S IN S IN G A P O R E
164
TR AV EL A N D TO URIS M
171
ED U CATIO N
178
5
164
CH APTER F I V E : NEW COM M UNI TI ES & CONNE CTI ONS
“ S i n c e th e 1 9 9 0 s , w h e n
p ro fe s s i o n a l s f r o m I n d i a
fi rs t b e g a n t o m a k e t h e i r
ma rk a s a n i m p o r t a n t
force
in
S i n g a p o r e ’s
labour market, the island
has become increasingly
popular among Indians as
a d e s ti n a t i o n t o l i v e , w o r k
a n d p l a y. ”
PROFESSIONALS IN SINGAPORE
On any normal day in Singapore, “it is common to find the freshly arrived
Indian expatriates making their presence known, dressed in executive wear
on public transport or unwinding after office hours along Orchard Road”. 1
The history of Indian professionals in Singapore, which has seen a great
deal of change in the past few years, symbolises the ever-strengthening
relationship between India and Singapore. According to Singapore-based
novelist Meira Chand, “the last ten to twelve years have seen a sudden
influx of a young professional Indian community into Singapore. This has led
to a definite upgrade in consciousness about India within Singapore, both
in terms of culture as well as travel, with a great many more Singaporeans
showing interest in visiting India.” 2
Since the 1990s, when professionals from India first began to make their mark
as an important force in Singapore’s labour market, the island has become
increasingly popular among Indians as a destination to live, work and play.
While it may seem to be only a recent phenomenon, the presence of nonresident Indians in Singapore in fact goes back several decades. Since
the 1990s, “firms in Singapore have recruited Indian engineers, computer
specialists, managers and professionals.” 3
“There has been a substantial
increase in the absolute number of Indian expatriates in Singapore,
along with more professions and diverse parts of India being
represented in the Indian expatriate community. For example, the
previous mix of mainly IT and high-tech manufacturing professionals
has now increasingly come to also include those working in the
finance sector”.
— Sanjiv Aiy ar,
Pr e sid e n t o f Pa n In d ia n In sti tute of Mana gement (IIM)
Alu m n i a n d Fo u n d e r & CEO of A pKar Consulting 4
Furthermore, the success of Indian professionals in Singapore extends
beyond the private sector – “the gover nment has endorsed Indian talent by
recruiting them as well”. In addition to banking and finance, the public sector
has relied on the expertise and skills of Indian professionals. This began
in 1990 when “22 Indian IT professionals were recruited by the National
Computer Board (NCB), 18 worked under the Civil Service Computerisation
Programme while the rest were hired by the Information Technology Institute,
the research and development arm of the NCB.” 5
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The initiatives of the Singapore gover nment to attract Indian professionals,
which were endorsed by the Indian gover nment, reflect the wide-ranging and
deeply-layered nature of the Singapore-India relationship. This relationship
manifests in many ways from the ground level to the policy level – ranging
from everyday interactions between Indians and Singaporeans all the way
to strategic economic partnerships at the gover nment level, many of which
made the regular social interactions possible in the first place.
For example, “in 1990 and 1992, Indian Members of Parliament, S. Jayakumar
and S. Dhanabalan gave official backing to the gover nment endeavors to
attract Indian talent to Singapore to compensate for the drain of the IndianSingaporean elite.” Following this, the Singapore gover nment “subsequently
engaged in tie-ups with the private sector to encourage the employment
of Indians from the subcontinent and even set up a “Contact Singapore”
branch in Chennai”. 6 Since then, Indians have been flocking to the island in
droves, and “the number of Indian companies setting up units in Singapore
has grown threefold in six years to 3,084 in 2007”. 7
The year 2008, however, marked a changing point in the story of Indians
relocating to Singapore. It was after this that the movement of Indian human
capital from India to Singapore gained a new momentum. Due to the global
financial crisis that year, many Indian companies began to implement a general
freeze on hiring, heavily affecting graduates and working professionals in
India. Singapore, more than ever before, was seen as a popular location for
advancing one’s career. This was “because of its proximity to India, culture
and pay”, which made Singapore “able to attract talent in the banking and
financial sectors”. 8
Sanjiv
Aiyar
notes
that
“Singapore’s
work
environment,
connectivity,
education system and its cosmopolitan mix of people make it one of the
preferred work destinations for Indians”. 9 The fact that over a thousand Indian
Institute of Management (IIM) graduates live in Singapore, making theirs the
largest single city presence outside India, is testament to Singapore’s appeal
among Indian professionals.
“Part of Singapore’s appeal lies in
the fact that it is a place where subject matter experts from India
can achieve success, as evident from the many Indians who are in
the forefront as heads of banks, technology firms and operations in
Singapore”.
— V ish Iy e r, Pr esid e n t , Asia Pa cific, Ta ta C o n su lta n cy Se r vice s 10
“The year 2008 marked a
changing point in the story
of Indians relocating to
Singapore. It was after
this that the movement of
Indian human capital from
India to Singapore gained
a new momentum.”
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5-1.
5-1.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and
his wife Ho Ching lighting up an oil
lamp to launch the Deepavali light-up
and celebrations in Little India on 27
September 2013. With them are (from left)
Senior Minister of State for Education and
Law Indranee Rajah, Second Minister for
Home Affairs and Trade and Industr y S.
Iswaran, and organisers and leaders of
business and cultural groups. (Source: The
5-2.
Meira Chand, author of novels including
A Different Sky, House of the Sun, and
A Far Horizon. (Source: Meira Chand)
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Apart from employment and business opportunities, Singapore’s infrastructure
and facilities make it an attractive destination for those with long-term plans
to build and raise families. For example, the “high levels of safety and access
to good schools have led to a great deal of excitement among the Indian
community regarding Singapore as a place to raise children”, 11 according to
Vish Iyer.
Indian lifestyle options have also grown by leaps and bounds. The past few
years in particular have seen “the number of cultural events in Singapore that
are ethnically Indian dramatically increase both in frequency and in terms of
the diversity that is represented”, 12 according to Sanjiv Aiyar. He also highlights
several other changes in Singapore catering to Indian professionals that have
accompanied this growing supply of Indian entertainment. These include the
emergence of Indian international schools in Singapore. Even in Singapore’s
local schools, more and more students are now able to learn Hindi.
“Singapore is highly cosmopolitan, combining the best of the East and
the West. It is a place where, as an outsider, you can become part of
the fabric of society and achieve a level of assimilation, relevancy
and integration that is fulfilling”.
— Meira Chand, Novelist 1 3
If the past achievements of the Singapore-India relationship are anything to
go by, it looks as if the future holds promise for even more collaboration. In
terms of the role Singapore can play, Vish Iyer sees the potential in focusing
on “business ventures in Indian cities, whether it is improving pollution
control in New Delhi or transportation in Mumbai.” 14 Regarding cultural
linkages, Meira Chand notes “there is a big hole in the literary history of
the Indian community in Singapore that is waiting to be written. It is a rich
history that I hope will be touched upon in the coming years of Singapore
5-2.
and India’s relations.” 15
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5-3.
NRI-Singapore Business
The story of the Singapore-India relationship is not complete without a mention
of the non-resident Indian community in Singapore - “in Asia, NRIs command
near to US$80 billion with US$20 billion in Singapore alone,” according to
Niels Zilkens, Clariden Leu global head of the Indian subcontinent and NRIs. 16
Since the 1990s, NRIs have established such a strong business presence
in Singapore that in 1994, the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce
and Industry organised the World Convention of Indian Entrepreneurs,
Businessmen
and
Professionals
in
Singapore.
The
convention,
which
provided a platform for delegates to discuss business opportunities and joint
ventures, included speakers such as Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister
Lee Hsien Loong and Mr George Yeo.
The business presence of NRIs in Singapore not only economically benefits
both their host and home countries, but encourages further business ties
between the two countries. This in tur n creates a demand for services tailored
to the needs of NRIs and their style of doing business through referral and
family networks.
Capitalising
on
the
wealth
of
high-net-worth
non-resident
Indians
in
Singapore, Clariden Leu, a Swiss private bank set up a new five-man
NRI team in Singapore in April 2011. Several other banks in Singapore,
including Deutsche Bank, have dedicated teams advising wealthy Indian NRI
entrepreneurs. 17
IN D
5-3.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong speaking
to the audience at a luncheon address,
Personal Reflections on India, at
the inaugural session of the Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Singapore Business
Conference in 2008.(Source: The Straits
Times © Singapore Press Holdings
5-4.
Keynote Speaker Mr Narendra Modi,
Chief Minister of Gujarat, receiving a
token of appreciation from Singapore’s
Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
Dr Balaji Sadasivan at the Global Indian
Business Summit in Singapore, 2006.
(Source: George Abraham)
169
5-4.
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170
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5-5.
5-6.
5-7.
5-8.
171
TRAVEL AND TOURISM
The Singapore Tourism Board
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) was one of the first national tourism
organisations to identify India’s outbound tourism potential. It has been
quick to leverage on the strong cultural and business ties between the two
countries in order to promote Singapore as a dynamic leisure and business
destination. The market has been consistently ranked among the top five
visitor markets for Singapore, and is currently the third-largest contributor to
Singapore’s tourism revenue at 1.2 billion SGD. That the Lion City’s appeal
has grown in the eyes of the Indian market is clear; visitorship has nearly
doubled in the last decade from 470,000 in 2004 to 934,000 in 2013. To cater
to the growing demand for Singapore’s offerings, the STB has also expanded
its presence from one office in Mumbai in 1993, to a second office in Delhi
and additional marketing presence in Chennai and Bangalore.
Mr Chang Chee Pey, the STB’s Executive Director of South Asia, Middle
East and Africa, emphasised the significant role which historical linkages
and kinship between the two countries have played in keeping Singapore as
a top-of-mind destination when it comes to Indian outbound travel. Many
Singaporean Indians still have family ties in India, and often play host to
relatives and friends visiting from the subcontinent. India’s economic reforms
since 1991 have also led to an expansion of the affluent middle class, which
regards overseas holidays as important family bonding time rather than
as luxuries.
Indians’ recognition of Singapore as a family-friendly destination is a result
of the STB’s active engagement with the travel trade in India, as well as
Singapore’s ongoing ability to offer something for every family member.
Having successfully increased destination awareness of the country amongst
Indians in the early years, the STB has since sharpened their storytelling
skills with dedicated marketing messages aimed to appeal to the myriad
passions and interests of Indian tourists – whether those might be the
thriving night life, the blooming arts and culture, or the dizzying variety in the
culinary scene. To give families more reasons to revisit Singapore’s shores,
STB’s current campaign, Singapore: The Holiday You Take Home with You,
also highlights Singapore’s reinvention as a world-class tourist destination
and the enriching experience which it now offers Indian visitors. In addition
to traditional favourites such as the Jurong Bird Park, the Night Safari, the
Singapore Zoo, and the Chinatown and Little India precincts, focus has also
5-5 - 5-8.
A campaign by STB featuring Indian
families at Singapore attractions.
(Clockwise) Gardens by the Bay, Resorts
World Sentosa, Infinity Pool at Marina
Bay Sands and the River Safari.
(Source: Singapore Tourism Board.)
been given to newer attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore, Marina
Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay and the River Safari. The campaign has
undoubtedly gained traction with 70 per cent of Indian tourists who travelled
to Singapore in 2013 for leisure, the majority of whom visit during the Indian
school holiday months of May and November to December.
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Recognising the power of Bollywood to influence travel decisions, the STB
has also partnered with the Indian film industry to keep Singapore in the
imaginations of Indian audiences. The STB played a vital role in the production
of the 2004 Hindi blockbuster Krrish, which was shot in Singapore, and its
success has paved the way for other Hindi films to follow. Furthermore, the
country has played host several times to Indian film awards ceremonies,
which has increased awareness of the country both within the Indian film
frater nity and amongst Indian consumers.
Apart from leisure, business has also become another compelling reason
for Indians to visit Singapore. In 2013, 25 per cent of Indian visitor arrivals
consisted
of
business
travellers
attending
meetings,
conventions
or
exhibitions. With the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation
Agreement (CECA) between Singapore and India in 2005, there has been
a significant increase in the number of Indian companies setting up their
regional and even global headquarters in Singapore. The steady stream
of Indian business travel to the country, together with its reputation as a
top leisure destination, has also made Singapore a popular option for
incentive travel. More than 50,000 tourists come from India to Singapore
every year as part of paid company trips to reward top employees and
dealers.
Capitalising
on
Singapore’s
strength
as
an
incentive
travel
destination, the STB, in partnership with strategic industry players such
as the Changi Airport Group, Singapore Airlines, Resorts World Sentosa,
Gardens by The Bay, Wildlife Reserve Singapore and Singapore Turf Club,
launched the “In Singapore Incentives and Rewards” (INSPIRE) Programme.
INSPIRE provides information about Singapore’s iconic attractions and
offers unique complimentary experiences that are otherwise unavailable to
incentive groups.
Singapore’s recent focus on cruise tourism has also added a new dimension
to the country’s variety of memorable experiences and offerings. Collectively,
Indian business and leisure travellers have emerged as the top cruise-goers in
Singapore. Many Indian companies are adding a cruise leg to their incentive
schemes, and the city’s dramatic skyline serves as an ideal backdrop for
lavish cruise weddings. 18
As Indian travel preferences become more sophisticated, there is a need to
ensure that the Lion City remains a current, relevant destination for both
business and leisure needs. With Singapore constantly reinventing itself and
offering up new experiences on the horizon, the STB is confident that India
will remain a key visitor source market for many years to come.
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5-9.
Singapore International volunteers
Kulandaisamy Ronikal Infenda, a neonatal
ICU senior nurse (pictured in an orange
Singapore International Foundation
Volunteer t-shirt) and Dr Bhavani Sriram,
Senior Consultant, Department of
Neonatology at Singapore’s KK Women’s
and Children’s Hospital (holding X-ray film
at far left), working alongside their Indian
peers to uplift their professional standards
so that critically ill babies in Chengalpattu
can benefit from better care. (Source:
Singapore International Foundation.)
173
5-9.
Singapore Inter national Foundation
The Singapore Inter national Foundation (SIF) brings world communities
together for a better world. The SIF aims to effect positive change and enrich
lives through the sharing of ideas, skills and experiences, as well as through
collaboration in the fields of healthcare, education, the environment, arts
and culture, business, and livelihood. Through its programmes, the SIF has
brought Singaporean and Indian communities together in partnership for
nearly two decades, with 2015 marking their 20th year of collaboration.
Over the years, the SIF has carried out a wide variety of projects in cities
such as Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai. These include capacity-building
projects such as training practitioners in the healthcare and education
sectors, or sending specialist volunteer teams to India to conduct skills
training workshops.
Specialist volunteers from Singapore have been instrumental to the SIF’s
work in India. For example, from 2009 to 2012, the SIF has sent down teams
of neonatal specialist doctors and nurses from Singapore’s KK Women’s and
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5-10.
5-11.
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5-12.
175
Children’s Hospital (KKH) to the Chengalpattu Medical College and Hospital
(CMCH) in India. Under the SIF Specialist Volunteer (Enhancing Newbor n
Services) project, these medical teams worked to enhance the neonatal
knowledge and clinical skills of those who care for at-risk newbor ns, including
critically ill and premature babies. They also shared best practices from KKH.
Serving as specialist volunteers with the SIF, Singapore’s KKH teams of
neonatologists and neonatal ICU nurses have trained some 120 healthcare
professionals in Tamil Nadu. These include paediatric doctors and neonatal
ICU nurses from CMCH, senior health nurses, village health nurses and staff
nurses. The SIF-managed project has helped advance the hospital’s ongoing
efforts to raise its standards of clinical care.
F ol l owi ng t hi s f our- year engagement , C MC H has recorded better clinical
o ut comes, regi st eri ng a 15 p er cent red uct i on i n i nf ection-related infant
m ort al i t y as a resul t of i mp roved resp i rat ory management pr actices and
s t rengt hened i nf ect i on cont rol st and ard s. It s cap aci t y to ser ve patients has
a l so i ncreased : i t has seen a 16 p er cent i ncrease i n admissions and has
i n creased t he numb er of b ed s i n i t s neonat al IC U ward from 15 to 30. This
i n creased cap aci t y i s not merel y t he resul t of havi ng more beds – staff
a n d d ep art ment eff i ci ency has i mp roved d ue t o b et t er clinical skills, better
d ocument at i on, st ronger k nowl ed ge and short er i n- p atient stays. CM CH is
n ow t he p ref erred ref erral cent re i n t he l arger K ancheepur am distr ict for
n ewb or n b ab i es suff eri ng f rom l i f e- t hreat eni ng cond i tions, and has begun
t o recei ve ref erral s f rom p ri vat e hosp i t al s.
The Singapore Inter nationale Programme, set up by the SIF in 2000, is a
primary example of the continuing collaboration between arts practitioners in
India and Singapore. Under this programme, several Singaporean artists and
arts groups have showcased their work to audiences in India. For example,
5-10.
Singapore International Volunteer Clinical
Associate Professor Victor Samuel Rajadurai
(in centre of picture, in an orange Singapore
International Foundation Volunteer t-shirt)
who is Head and Senior Consultant at the
Department of Neonatology, KK Women’s
and Children’s Hospital.
the SIF sponsored Joyotee Ray Chaudhury, a Singaporean artist of Indian
descent, to represent Singapore at “Aviskar 2012 - East Meets West”, an
exhibition in Kolkata, India. At the exhibition, which was curated by an
inter national panel from the USA, Russia, Netherlands and India, Chaudhury
was awarded the Viewer’s Choice – Best Painting Award (Digital Category)
for her painting Urban Existence.
5-11.
The Aviskar 2012 Exhibition in Kolkata,
India, where Joyotee Ray Chaudhur y
was awarded the Viewer’s Choice – Best
Painting Award (Digital Categor y) for her
painting Urban Existence
The programme has also provided opportunities for collaborations between
Singapore arts groups. In 2012, Maya Dance Theatre, a Singapore dance
company that draws inspiration from Asian traditions and aesthetics, worked
together with Singai Tamil Sangam, a Singapore community organisation that
5-12.
The Singapore dance company Maya Dance
Theatre performed at the Tamil Pongal
(Har vest) Festival in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu
in 2012.
(Source: Singapore International
Foundation)
works to promote the Tamil language and culture. They presented a truly
Singaporean production – a two hour dance piece titled “Invoking Rasas”
that featured Malay, Chinese and Indian styles of dance. Singapore’s cultural
diversity and richness was showcased to Indian audiences at the Tamil
Pongal (Harvest) Festival that year in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Inspiring India, National University of Singapore
Set up in 2009, Project Inspiring India began as a Final Year Project by
Business School students at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Since then, it has evolved into a fully-fledged annual youth expedition. Every
year, NUS students from various faculties travel to India for two weeks to do
volunteer work.
The beneficiary of the project, Living Hope Children’s Home, was set up in
Bangalore, India in 2002 to provide accommodation and access to education
for poor children between the ages of 10 and 17. Its positive impact is evident
from the fact that children from the Home’s first batch in 2002 have since
come back to volunteer at the Home, helping to give new batches of children
the same opportunities that they had received themselves.
Since the project’s initiation, NUS students have made four trips to Bangalore,
in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014. During the third trip to Bangalore, a team
of seventeen NUS students devised lessons in various subjects such as
Mathematics, IT, English and Mandarin for the children at the Home. The trip
also allowed cross-cultural connections to be forged between the volunteers
and students. Food, in particular, played an important role in establishing
these links. The volunteers prepared several Singaporean dishes, such as
nasi lemak, to share with the children. In tur n, the volunteers were exposed to
Bangalore’s regional cuisine, such as tandoori roti, paneer kadai and biryani.
Other activities also provided opportunities for the Singaporean volunteers and
the Home’s children to gain insights into each other’s cultures. Recreational
sports popular in Singapore, such as frisbee, dodgeball and tug-of-war were
taught to the children. Meanwhile, the volunteers were able to play several
games of cricket, India’s most popular sport, and even received a few lessons
in Kannada, the language indigenous to the state of Kar nataka.
Every night, the volunteers from Singapore reflected on their experiences.
Many realised that there were more commonalities between Singapore and
India than they had initially thought. What impressed them most were the
enterprising attitudes of the people they came across in India, and the
creativity with which they went about their daily lives. Seeing India not as
tourists, but through the eyes of the children they were volunteering with,
imbued their experience of the country with a sense of hope and positivity.
The project highlights the initiative that Singaporean students have taken to
lear n about and experience India, as well as the institutional support that
allows Singaporeans to carry out volunteer work in India. Part of the funding
for Project Inspiring India was provided by the National Youth Council, a
Singapore gover nment agency, under the Youth Expedition Project Grant.
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5-13.
Project Inspiring India volunteers decked
out in full Indian garb.
5-14.
Project Inspiring India trip to Bangalore,
India in 2013.
5-15.
Project Inspiring India volunteers enjoying
the delicacies of Bangalore, India.
(Source: Max Pang Wen Xiang and
Jacqueline Ho Theng Theng)
177
5-13.
5-14.
5-15.
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EDUCATION
IIMPact
IIMPACT is the Singapore chapter of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM).
Singapore currently has over 700 IIM alumni, the largest pool of members
worldwide outside India. Since 2005, they have been organising the “IIMPact
Singapore Signature Series” of business events to facilitate economic
and educational collaboration between Singapore and India, as well as to
highlight the contributions of Singapore-based IIM alumni. Over the years,
keynote speakers for IIMPact have included Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,
Mr George Yeo, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam and
Professor Kishore Mahbubani.
In conjunction with IIMPact 2013, the sixth event in the series, Singapore
Management University (SMU) organised a roundtable event with IIM
directors and alumni to discuss the key challenges facing the Asian academic
frater nity. At the event, SMU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with IIM Rohtak. The two institutions agreed to promote cooperation in areas
such as faculty exchange, visits by faculty and scholars, joint conferences,
faculty research workshops and symposiums, and student exchange. The
“MOU with IIM Rohtak is the sixth agreement signed by SMU with an Indian
partner in less than a year.” 19
Educational Exchanges
The Singapore-India story has certainly been defined by Singapore’s
development as a cultural and tourism hub for Indians. However, the growth
of Singapore’s education sector has provided another important avenue for
long-lasting positive partnerships to be formed between the two countries.
Teacher Training
In 2006, three principals from city schools in the state of Tamil Nadu travelled
to Singapore to get a glimpse of Singapore’s education system, by invitation
of the Singapore Tourism Board.
As part of the teacher training programme between Singapore and India, the
three principals – S. Bhavanishankar (Chettinad Vidyashram), Valli Arunachalam
(PSBB Senior Secondary School, T. Nagar), and Vijaya Srinivasan (Lady Andal
Venkatasubbarao Higher Secondary, Chetpet) – spent four days in Singapore.
During their time in Singapore, they were shown various aspects of the city-state’s
education sector. These included Singapore’s educational infrastructure and
curriculum, as well as the priority that is given to sports and co-curricular activities.
“Such student/teacher exchange and teacher training Programmes
between India and Singapore will prove beneficial for everyone
involved in the project”.
— Va lli Ar u n ch a la m ,
Pr in c ip a l o f PSB B Se n io r Se co n d a r y Sch o o l, T. Na g a r 20
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Student Exchange
Besides teacher training programmes, student exchanges between Singapore
and India have been organised to promote educational and cultural
interaction between the two countries. In 2006, twenty children from the
Woodlands Primary School in Singapore travelled to the city of Chennai in
Tamil Nadu, where they visited “museums, the Connemara Public Library,
railway stations, Fort St. George, Madras University, Marina Beach and
Kapaleeswarar Temple.” 21
The Singaporean students also got the chance to meet and play with students
from city schools in Chennai. Through lear ning Indian games such as kabaddi
(a wrestling sport) and kho-kho (a tag sport), the Singaporean students were
able to experience a slice of student life in India.
The Education Conversation
At the gover nment level, there has been a continuing dialogue between
officials
regarding
collaborations
between
Singaporean
and
Indian
educational institutions. In 2006, Singapore’s Minister of State for Education
at the time, Gan Kim Yong, travelled to Chennai to visit Hindustan College of
Engineering. He was accompanied by Ajit Singh, Singapore’s Consul General
in Chennai, and five principals from senior secondary schools in Singapore.
Their objective was twofold: to explore opportunities to establish links and
exchanges with Indian educational institutions, and to find out more about
the Indian education system. The Singaporean visitors lear ned about the
Indian education system’s approach in handling various issues, such as the
admissions process for foreign students and “the collaborations between
educational institutes and industry.” 22
Indian culture in Singapore’s education
Within Singapore’s education sector, there has been a strengthening of efforts
to promote the fluency of the Tamil language among Singaporeans from
Tamil-speaking families. In schools, changes have been made to counter the
effects that the influence of English – both on the inter net and in everyday
Singaporean life – has had on young Singaporeans who have Tamil as their
mother tongue.
Strategies to promote Indian culture among Singaporean students have
incorporated technology as a way of connecting with the young, techsavvy generation. For instance, Tamil software has been introduced in
schools, and teachers have been “adopting innovative teaching methods to
popularise Tamil.” 23
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NUS-India collaborations involving students
Project KReach@India
Kent Ridge Hall student volunteers undertook Project KReach@India in May
2012. They worked with local officials to teach basic sewing skills and to
design a systematic workflow for the sewing industry. The project helped to
empower an economically marginalised rural community to secure jobs for
a living.
NUS-India Research Initiative
The NUS-India Research Initiative (IRI), led by Professor B. V. R. Chowdari,
was set up to facilitate greater collaboration between NUS and leading Indian
universities and institutes. Since 2011, IRI has supported more than 100
candidates on exchanges and visits. Furthermore, NUS has signed Joint PhD
agreements with IIT-Bombay and IIT-Madras. Through these agreements,
students are able to lear n from the best in IIT and in NUS.
STEER Programme
NUS launched its Study Trips for Engagement and Enrichment (STEER)
Programme to India in December 2010. As part of the programme, students
attended lectures and seminars on business practices, culture, politics,
sociology, and gender issues. These classes were organised in collaboration
with the University of Hyderabad. In Mumbai, STEER collaborated with the
SP Jain Institute of Management & Research. Participants visited business
organisations, NGOs and social enterprises. These included the HyderabadMV Foundation, which works against child labour exploitation; the Kumudben
Dwarkadas Vora Industrial Home for Blind Women; and a jewellery factory in
Mumbai.
Indian Inter national Schools
On 18 September 2002, the first Indian inter national school was established
in Singapore at Mount Sophia – the Indian Central School. After renaming
itself in 2004 as Bhavan’s Indian Inter national School, and again in 2006
as Global Indian Inter national School, the school expanded by setting up
two more campuses on the island. The Global Indian Inter national School
caters to the Indian expatriate community in Singapore by offering curricula
for Kindergarten to Year 12 education. It currently has three campuses in
Singapore, located in Balestier, East Coast and Queenstown. Since 2006,
several more inter national schools with Indian-oriented curriculums –
including Yuvabharathi Inter national School, DPS Inter national School, NPS
Inter national School and Sri Satya Sai Kindergarten – have been established
in Singapore to serve the educational needs of the many Indian expatriate
children living in Singapore with their families.
IN D
5-16.
President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam,
places a garland of flowers around the
statute of Mahatma Gandhi in the grounds
of the Global Indian International School
(GIIS) Balestier campus. (Source: The
181
5-16.
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182
5-17.
S P Jain
T he S P J a in I n s t i t u t e o f M a n a g e m e n t a nd Research, f i rst est ab l i shed i n 1981
in M um ba i, h a s b e e n ra n k e d a m o n g t he t op t en b usi ness school s i n Ind i a
f o r it s M BA p ro g ra m s . I t h a s a l s o e x p a n d ed gl ob al l y, choosi ng S i ngap ore as
t he lo c a t io n f o r o n e o f t h e S P J a i n S chool of Gl ob al Management ’s t hree
c a mpus e s (t h e o t h e r t w o a re l o c a t e d i n Dub ai and S yd ney). Locat ed j ust a
s t o ne ’s t hro w a w a y f ro m L a b ra d o r P a r k MRT and cl ose t o t he ci t y cent re,
t he S ing a po re c a m p u s w a s s e t u p i n 2 0 06 ami d st l ush greenery and several
re no v a t e d he ri t a g e b u i l d i n g s s p re a d o v er seven acres on H yd erab ad Road .
S i n gap ore S c h o la r s h ip s f o r In d ia n s
S ing a po re h a s a n u m b e r o f s c h o l a rs hi p s avai l ab l e t o Ind i an nat i onal s,
inc luding t he S I A Yo u t h S c h o l a rs h i p a n d t he A *S t ar Ind i a Yout h S chol arshi p .
T he y pro v ide I n d i a n s t u d e n t s o f o u t s t a n d i ng acad emi c cal i b re t he op p ort uni t y
t o e nt e r pre - u n i v e rs i t y p ro g ra m m e s a t t op j uni or col l eges and second ary
s c ho o ls in S i n g a p o re .
M a ny who p re v i o u s l y h e l d t h e s e s c h o l arshi p s have gone on t o work i n a
wide v a r ie t y o f s e c t o rs w i t h i n S i n g ap ore. P revi ous schol arshi p - hol d ers
ha v e v e nt ure d i n t o f i e l d s s u c h a s s c i e n ce, t echnol ogy, f i nance, consul t ancy,
a c a de mia a n d s o c i a l e n t re p re n e u rs h i p .
T he s c ho la r s h i p s a l l o w b ri g h t y o u n g I n d i ans t o access what many consi d er
t o be o ne o f t h e w o rl d ’s b e s t e d u c a t i on syst ems, p rovi d i ng t hem wi t h t he
t o o ls a nd re s o u rc e s t o d e v e l o p t h e i r a cad emi c and i nt el l ect ual cap ab i l i t i es,
a nd pre pa r in g t h e m f o r t h e a c a d e m i c a l l y ri gorous uni versi t y envi ronment .
T he be ne fit s o f t h e s e s c h o l a rs h i p s go b ot h ways. The i ncl usi on of
s t ude nt s from I n d i a i n S i n g a p o re s c hool s enri ches t he l ear ni ng p rocess
f o r S ing a po re a n s a n d c re a t e s o p p o rtuni t i es f or cul t ural and i nt el l ect ual
e xc ha ng e bet w e e n S i n g a p o re a n a n d I n d i an st ud ent s.
Through these scholarships, many Indian students spend some of their formative
years in Singapore. Their experience of the country will undoubtedly inform
their careers and the connections they make with Singapore in the future.
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183
5-18.
F u rt hermore, t hrough t he q ual i t y of t he ed ucat i on t h ey provide, and the
s tori es of S i ngap ore t hat t hei r reci p i ent s wi l l carry for the rest of their
l i ves, t hese schol arshi p s d evel op S i ngap ore’s i nt er nat ional reputation as a
w orl d - cl ass ci t y f or l i vi ng and l ear ni ng.
T he S o uth A s i an S tudi es P ro g ram m e, N ati o nal U ni v er sit y of Singapore
R ef l ect i ng t he hi st ory of i nt el l ect ual and acad emi c exchange between
S ingap ore and Ind i a, t he N at i onal U ni versi t y of S i ngapore has had a long
t rad i t i on of schol arshi p on t he Ind i an sub cont i nent .
I n 1999, t he S out h A si an S t ud i es P rogramme (S A SP) was established
t o f ocus on cont emp orary and hi st ori cal st ud i es rel ating to South Asia.
B egi nni ng as a t hree- year BA p rogramme off eri ng undergr aduate modules,
i t ex p and ed i n 2000 t o i ncl ud e grad uat e mod ul es. The progr amme saw its
f i rst b at ch of P hD st ud ent s grad uat i ng i n 2002 and i t s fir st batch of SASP
m aj ors and M.A . st ud ent s grad uat i ng t he f ol l owi ng year. The histor y of the
U n i versi t y’s engagement wi t h t he st ud y of S out h A si a, however, goes far
b ack evi d ent i n i t s l i b rary’s l arge col l ect i on of S out h Asian mater ial.
T h e U ni versi t y’s schol ars on S out h A si a have t he chance to explore a
w id e vari et y of t op i cs and d i sci p l i nes, i ncl ud i ng economics, politics,
l i t erat ure, p hi l osop hy, soci ol ogy, gend er, l i t erary an d linguistic studies.
T h e p rogramme’s f our sub - d i sci p l i nary st rengt hs are Histor y and Politics,
P ol i t i cal Economy and Devel op ment , Rel i gi on and C ulture, and Diaspor a
5-17.
The S P Jain School of Global Management
Singapore Campus. (Source: S P Jain
School of Global Management)
5-18.
The South Asian Studies Programme
booth at the National University of
Singapore Open Day. (Source: South Asian
Studies Programme, National University of
Singapore)
a nd Transnat i onal S t ud i es.
T h e st ud ent b od y of t he S A S P i s hi ghl y cosmop ol i t an, with many having
c ome t o p ursue grad uat e st ud i es f rom S out h K orea, China, Pakistan, Sr i
L ank a, t he P hi l i p p i nes, Bangl ad esh, It al y, Germany, t he USA and India. This
i s a cl ear i nd i cat i on of t he wi d e- rangi ng i nt erest i n S outh Asia, as well as
t he p op ul ari t y of S i ngap ore as a l ocat i on i n whi ch t o engage with matter s
rel at i ng t o t he S out h A si an regi on.
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184
5-19.
5-20.
5-21.
5-22.
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185
The Institute of South Asian Studies
The Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), an autonomous research institute
at the National University of Singapore, was launched in July 2004 by Prime
Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong. The establishment of ISAS reflects the
increasing economic and political importance of South Asia, and the strong
historical links between South Asia and Southeast Asia. ISAS is dedicated to
research on contemporary South Asia, covering areas such as South Asian
and Southeast Asian relations, domestic politics, gover nance, economics,
diaspora, and bilateral linkages. The Institute seeks to promote understanding
of this vital region of the world, and to communicate knowledge and insights
about South Asia to policy makers, businesspeople, academics, and civil
society in Singapore and beyond.
In addition to producing research, ISAS organises a range of events throughout
the year, including seminars, workshops, public lectures, book launches
and dialogue sessions. Issues discussed at such events have ranged from
employment challenges, foreign policy, and gover nance to youth politics,
skill development, and water and waste management. ISAS has also been
able to attract prominent Indian politicians and personalities to speak at its
public events in Singapore, including Sushma Swaraj, Pranab Mukherjee,
N. K. Singh, A. R. Rahman, as well as Narendra Modi, who was the first
5-19.
Launch of the Institute of South Asian
Studies by Singapore Prime Minister Goh
Chok Tong in 2004.
speaker to ever deliver a seminar at ISAS.
One key example of how ISAS has strived to fulfil its mission of promoting a
better understanding of the economics, politics and international relations of
5-20.
External Affairs Minister of India Salman
Khurshid (right) was presented with books
written by Institute of South Asian Studies
(ISAS) scholars by Ambassador Gopinath
Pillai (left). The event was held at the
National Librar y on 3 July 2013.
South Asian countries was a dialogue session with six politicians from four
different political parties in India, held just several months before the Indian
general elections in 2014. Visiting Singapore as part of a Group Study Visit
Programme hosted by the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the
delegates were warmly welcomed at ISAS by the Institute’s Chairman Mr
5-21.
First India-Singapore Strategic Dialogue
in 2008.
5-22.
Professor Tan, Ms Ilmi, Mr Eden,
Ms Jat, Ambassador Pillai, Dr Trivedi,
Ms Tripathi and Mr Pandey at the ISAS
Young Politicians Roundtable Discussion.
(Source: Institute of South Asian Studies)
Gopinath Pillai, Ambassador-at-Large with the MFA, and by the Institute’s
Director Professor Tan Tai Yong, Vice Provost for Student Life at the National
University of Singapore. The delegates participated in a roundtable discussion
with the ISAS researchers, debating on issues ranging from the political
attitudes and participation of young people in India and their engagement
with social media, to the opportunities and challenges facing India’s political
and judicial systems.
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186
The South Asian Diaspora Convention
A rg ua bly t he b i g g e s t e v e n t o n t h e I SA S cal end ar i s t he b i enni al S out h
A s ia n D ia s po ra C o n v e n t i o n ( S A DC ) . I t was f i rst concei ved b y P resi d ent of
S ing a po re S . R . N a t h a n i n 2 0 1 1 . I t s ob j ect i ves are t o p roj ect S i ngap ore
a s a s pr ing b o a rd f o r S o u t h A s i a , a n d t o p rovi d e a gl ob al p l at f orm f or
pe o ple o f S ou t h A s i a n o ri g i n s a n d t h o se wi t h an i nt erest i n S out h A si a t o
c o lla bo r a t e an d n e t w o rk . I t a l s o s e rv es as an avenue f or IS A S as a t hi nk t a nk t o pro v i d e t h o u g h t l e a d e rs h i p o n S out h A si an i ssues. The f i rst S A DC
c o nf e re nc e t o o k p l a c e f ro m 2 1 t o 2 2 J ul y 2011; t he second t ook p l ace f rom
21 t o 23 No v e m b e r 2 0 1 3 . B o t h t i m e s , t he conf erence at t ract ed more t han
a t ho us a nd p a rt i c i p a n t s . I t g a t h e re d a d i st i ngui shed array of S out h A si ans
a nd int e r na t i o n a l g u e s t s t o d i s c u s s k e y i ssues and t o engage wi t h t he S out h
A s ia n dia s po ra .
Hig hlig ht s of t h e 2 0 1 1 c o n v e n t i o n i n cl ud ed d i al ogue sessi ons wi t h Lee
K ua n Ye w, M i n i s t e r M e n t o r o f S i n g a p o re; Dr H an S eung S oo, f ormer P ri me
M inis t e r o f t h e R e p u b l i c o f K o re a ; a n d Ri chard A rmi t age, f ormer Dep ut y
S e c re t a r y o f S t a t e o f t h e U S A . I n t h e 2 0 1 3 ed i t i on, not ab l e sp eak ers i ncl ud ed
P. Chida mbara m , F i n a n c e M i n i s t e r o f I n d i a, and A nand Mahi nd ra, C hai rman
a nd M a na g in g Di re c t o r o f I n d i a n m u l t i nat i onal Mahi nd ra & Mahi nd ra.
T he o c c a s ion a s s e m b l e d t o p d i g n i t a ri es f rom S i ngap ore, wi t h t he st rong
pa r t ic ipa t io n a n d s u p p o rt f ro m s e v e ral gover nment and p ri vat e agenci es.
P r im e M inis t e r L e e H s i e n L o o n g w a s t h e k eynot e sp eak er at t he f i rst S A DC
in 2011, a nd De p u t y P ri m e M i n i s t e r a n d C oord i nat i ng Mi ni st er f or N at i onal
S e c ur it y a nd M i n i s t e r f o r H o m e A ff a i r s Teo C hee H ean was t he k eynot e
s pe a ke r f o r t h e s e c o n d e d i t i o n i n 2 0 1 3 . The i mp act and si gni f i cance of t he
c o nf e re nc e s w e re re f l e c t e d i n t h e e x t ensi ve p ress coverage gar nered b ot h
lo c a lly a nd in t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l m e d i a , i ncl ud i ng The Economi st. Del egat es
g a ine d fre s h p e rs p e c t i v e s a n d e s t a b l i shed new connect i ons d uri ng t he of
dis c us s io ns a n d d i a l o g u e .
IN D
5-23.
Ambassador Gopinath Pillai, Chairman of
the Institute of South Asian Studies (left),
P. Chidambaram, Finance Minister of India
(centre), and Tharman Shanmugaratnam,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Finance, Singapore (right), speaking at the
2013 South Asian Diaspora Convention in
Singapore.
5-24.
Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and
Coordinating Minister for National Security
and Minister for Home Affairs, Singapore,
delivering the keynote address at the
2013 South Asian Diaspora Convention in
Singapore.
5-25.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong at the 2011 South Asian Diaspora
Convention in Singapore.
(Source: Institute of South Asian Studies)
187
5-23.
5-24.
5-25.
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188
P ROSPECTS
PROSPECTS FOR INDIA-SINGAPORE RELATIONS
In d i a i s a l a rg e c o u n t r y o f s u b - c o n t i n e n t a l s i z e w i t h a l o n g h i s t o r y a n d c i v i l i s a t i o n . S i n g a p o r e
i s a s m a l l i s l a n d s t a t e w i t h o n l y a s h o r t h i s t o r y, b e g i n n i n g w i t h i t s f o u n d i n g b y S i r S t a m f o r d
Raffles in 1819. What bonded the two together was their colonial past and the administration
which they shared under British Indian rule. Indian convict labour was shipped to Singapore
to build its infrastructure and prestigious public buildings such as the Gover nment House
and the Cathedral. Indian petty traders and money lenders such as the Chettiars had been
instrumental in lubricating the trade and business which helped develop Singapore into an
e n t r e p ô t . A s a B r i t i s h p o r t , S i n g a p o r e p r o t e c t e d a n d s a f e g u a r d e d B r i t i s h I n d i a ’s t r a d i n g
interest in the Malay Archipelago and the Far East.
S h a r e d C o m m o n w e a l t h l i n k s f u r t h e r u n d e rg i r d e d t h e f o u n d a t i o n o f I n d i a - S i n g a p o r e r e l a t i o n s
during moder n times. When Singapore became independent on 9 August 1965, it tur ned
towards India for military assistance and political support. In the earlier years of its foreign
p o l i c y, S i n g a p o r e l o o k e d t o I n d i a f o r g u i d a n c e b e c a u s e o f i t s l e a d e r s h i p r o l e i n t h e A f r o A s i a n G r o u p a n d i n t h e N o n - A l i g n e d M o v e m e n t . S i n g a p o r e s u g g e s t e d t h a t i n v i e w o f I n d i a ’s
pool of goodwill among the smaller countries, India should take a lead in Southeast Asia,
and that it could start by partnering with Japan to start a regional economic cooperation
scheme.
T h i s w a r m r e l a t i o n s h i p w a s s o m e w h a t d i s r u p t e d d u r i n g t h e C o l d Wa r y e a r s , w h e n I n d i a
distanced itself from the ASEAN countries over the issues of Afghanistan and Cambodia.
H o w e v e r, S i n g a p o r e c o n t i n u e d t o a d v o c a t e f o r I n d i a ’s a c t i v e e n g a g e m e n t i n t h e r e g i o n
and for its strategic involvement in the regional security dialogue. India was eventually
accepted as a dialogue partner of ASEAN, a participant in the ASEAN Regional Forum, and
a founding member of the East Asian Summit. These strategic memberships have given
I n d i a a s t a k e a n d a v o i c e i n A S E A N a n d o t h e r r e g i o n a l f o r a . S i n g a p o r e ’s r o l e i n b r i n g i n g
these developments about was well appreciated by India.
The economic reforms undertaken during the Narasimha Rao gover nment drew Singapore
c l o s e r t o I n d i a . H o w e v e r, d e s p i t e p o l i t i c a l g o o d w i l l o n b o t h s i d e s , s o m e m a j o r p r o j e c t s s u c h
as the Madras-Singapore Corridor and investments in the civil aviation sector have been
stymied by bureaucracy and resistance by trade unions and industries in India, as well as risk
aversion on the part of Singapore investors. The new trade opening and foreign investment
m e a s u r e s u n d e r t h e Va j p a y e e g o v e r n m e n t l e d t o a r a p i d e x p a n s i o n i n t h e e c o n o m i c r e l a t i o n s
between India and Singapore. The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)
certainly provided a fillip to trade and investment flows between the two countries. It also
demonstrated a commitment, backed by the legal obligations of a comprehensive free trade
agreement, to give economic substance to the bilateral relationship.
Since 2002, new Reserve Bank of India (RBI) measures allowing Indian companies to
i n v e s t a b r o a d h a v e l e d t o a s u rg e i n I n d i a n o u t w a r d f o r e i g n d i r e c t i n v e s t m e n t ( F D I ) . T h e s e
measures also impelled droves of Indian companies to set up offices in Singapore. For
them, Singapore has become an offshore centre to do business, to raise capital, to arbitrate
their business disputes, and to bypass domestic bottlenecks in order to fast-track the
globalisation of their businesses in Asia and elsewhere. For Indian professionals, Singapore
is a safe environment to live and work, to buy properties, and to educate their children.
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189
The presence of an Indian diaspora in Singapore, affinities in culture and traditions, and
the shared heritage of a common legal system and the English language often give rise to
a sentiment that there is something special about the bilateral relationship. This sentiment
also manifests itself in the ease and comfort with which the political leaders of both
c o u n t r i e s i n t e r a c t w i t h e a c h o t h e r. H o w e v e r, i t i s t h e c o n v e rg e n c e o f i n t e r e s t s t h a t h a s
t r u l y b r o u g h t t h e t w o c o u n t r i e s c l o s e t o g e t h e r, w h e t h e r i t w a s t h e s e a r c h f o r n e w m a r k e t s
and investments or for a new regional equilibrium. These strategic interests tied the two
c o u n t r i e s t o g e t h e r e v e n w h i l e s t r a t e g i c d i v e rg e n c e d u r i n g t h e C o l d Wa r y e a r s h a d l e f t
India-Singapore bilateral relations adrift.
To n u r t u r e f u t u r e t i e s , b o t h I n d i a a n d S i n g a p o r e w i l l n e e d t o d e v e l o p a d e e p e r s e n s e o f
e m p a t h y a n d a b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f e a c h o t h e r ’s a s p i r a t i o n s a n d c o n c e r n s . I n o t h e r
words, deepening the relationship requires a realistic assessment of the priority interests of
e a c h c o u n t r y ; m u t u a l n e e d s a n d c a p a b i l i t i e s ; a n d w h e r e c o l l a b o r a t i o n c a n p r o v i d e s y n e rg y
t o m e e t t h e s e n e e d s a n d i n t e r e s t s . S i n g a p o r e ’s e x p e r i e n c e i n u r b a n r e n e w a l , p u b l i c h o u s i n g ,
i n d u s t r i a l p a r k s , l o g i s t i c s a n d w a t e r m a n a g e m e n t a r e v e r y r e l e v a n t t o I n d i a ’s i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l
development needs. In several ways, Singapore has taken on the role of an exter nal hub for
the Indian economy and for Indian companies to expand their operations in the region and
i n t h e w o r l d . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , I n d i a ’s r i c h h e r i t a g e , i t s c u l t u r a l a m b i e n c e , i t s t a l e n t e d a n d
s k i l l e d p r o f e s s i o n a l s a n d i t s l a rg e b u s i n e s s p r e s e n c e i n S i n g a p o r e h a v e v e r y m u c h b e c o m e
a n i n t e g r a l p a r t o f t h e S i n g a p o r e e c o n o m y, a n d h a v e h e l p e d s u s t a i n S i n g a p o r e ’s s t a t u s a s
a g l o b a l c i t y.
In sum, and with the exception of a brief cooling-off period, the past 50 years have witnessed
a m u t u a l l y b e n e f i c i a l r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n t h e t w o c o u n t r i e s t h a t h a s t o a l a rg e e x t e n t b e e n
built on traditional bonds of friendship facilitated by cultural affinities and Commonwealth
links. In recent years, both economic and strategic interests drew the two countries even
c l o s e r t o g e t h e r. T h e c h a l l e n g e i s n o w t o e n s u r e t h a t i n t e r e s t s a n d s t r a t e g i c o u t l o o k s w i l l
c o n t i n u e t o c o n v e rg e . T h i s w i l l , o f c o u r s e , l a rg e l y d e p e n d o n h o w t h e t w o c o u n t r i e s l o o k a t
global issues as well as how they stand on matters that affect the security and stability of
the Asia-Pacific region.
The fundamentals are in place. Singapore and the ASEAN countries will always be important
t o I n d i a s i m p l y b e c a u s e o f g e o g r a p h y. S i n g a p o r e , M a l a y s i a a n d I n d o n e s i a a r e l i t t o r a l s t a t e s
o f t h e S t r a i t s o f M a l a c c a , w h i c h i s a v i t a l i n t e r n a t i o n a l w a t e r w a y f o r I n d i a ’s a c c e s s t o t h e
S o u t h C h i n a S e a a n d t h e P a c i f i c . I n d i a s h a r e s a l a n d b o r d e r w i t h M y a n m a r, a n d t h e l o n g
chains of its Andaman and Nicobar Islands occupy a strategic location in the eastern flanks
o f t h e I n d i a n O c e a n . I n d i a ’s a c t i v e e n g a g e m e n t o f t h e r e g i o n c a n t h e r e f o r e b e a s t a b i l i s i n g
and counterbalancing force and provide more strategic room for Singapore and countries
in the region.
Moving forward is indeed a real challenge, particularly when relations between India and
Singapore have reached such a high plateau. It demands greater efforts and bolder visions
on both sides. Judging by how the bilateral relations have evolved during the past 50 years,
h o w e v e r, t h e f u t u r e c e r t a i n l y l o o k s b r i g h t .
S IN
190
KEY BILATERAL AGREEMENTS
Gover nment-to-Gover nment Relations
Event
I n d i a - S i n g a p o re Pa r lia me n ta r y
F r i e n d s h i p G rou p
Year signed
Jul y 2012
J o i n t M i n i s t e ria l Committe e ( JMC) for
B i l a t e r a l C o o pe r a tion
June 2007
In addi ti o n, the Indi a-Si ng apo re Strateg i c Di al o g ue
(ISSD) w as establ i shed to pro mo te bi l ateral
ex chang es.
M e m o r a n d u m of Un de r sta n din g ( MO U) on
C o n s u l t a t i o n s be twe e n I n dia ’s Min istr y
o f E xt e r n a l A ffa ir s ( ME A) a n d Sin ga pore ’s
M i n i s t r y o f F o re ign Affa ir s ( MFA)
September
1 994
T he co nsul tati o ns al l o w o ffi ci al s fro m M EA and M FA
to ex chang e vi ews o n, i nter a l i a bi l ateral rel ati o ns
and reg i o nal devel o pments.
Economic Cooperation
Event
C o m p re h e n s i ve E c on omic Coope r a tion
A g re e m e n t ( CE CA)
June 2005
C urrentl y underg o i ng Seco nd Revi ew.
M e m o r a n d u m of Un de r sta n din g ( MO U)
f o r C o o p e r a t i on in Te le c ommu n ic a tion s
Apri l 2002
T he M OU w i l l al l o w the establ i shment o f mutual
co o perati o n between enterpri ses and eco no mi c
enti ti es o f the two co untri es i n the fi el d o f
tel eco mmuni cati o ns.
o n B i l a t e r a l E c on omic Coope r a tion
N o vember
2 000
o n S c i e n c e a n d Te c h n ology
January
1 995
T he M OU pro vi des fo r co o perati o n i n research
and techno l o g i cal devel o pment thro ug h the
ex chang e o f sci enti fi c and techni cal i nfo rmati o n
as wel l as co l l abo rati o n i n ag reed upo n research
pro j ects. An Ag reement fo r Sci ence and Techno l o g y
C o o perati o n was si g ned i n Aug ust 2009 to fo rmal i se
co l l abo rati o n effo rts.
Av o i d a n c e o f Dou ble Ta xa tion Agre e me n t
January
1 994
M o di fi ed by a F i rst Pro to co l si g ned i n J une 2005
and a Seco nd Pro to co l si g ned i n J une 2011.
A g re e m e n t o n Tou r ism Coope r a tion
January
1 994
A J o i nt Acti o n Pl an o n To uri sm C o -o perati o n
w as si g ned i n J anuary 2009 to bui l d o n the
1994 Ag reement to streng then j o i nt mark eti ng
co l l abo rati o n i n thi rd co untri es to create aw areness
abo ut to uri st attracti o ns i n each o ther’s co untri es.
January
1 968
A revi sed versi o n o f the Ag reement was si g ned
i n Apri l 2013, whi ch g ave a 10 per cent i ncrease
i n to tal capaci ty enti tl ements fo r passeng er fl i g hts
fro m Si ng apo re to Bang al o re, C hennai , C o i mbato re,
N ew Del hi , H yderabad, K o l k ata and M umbai . T he
l atest revi si o n si g ned i n M arch 2014 g ave Si ng apo re
Ai rl i nes Ltd the ri g ht to fl y i ts super j umbo Ai rbus
380 ai rcraft i nto Indi a.
B i l a t e r a l A i r Se r vic e s Agre e me n t
IN D
Year signed
191
Defence Cooperation
Event
B i l a t e r a l A g re e m e n t for Con du c t of Join t
M i l i t a r y Tr a i n i n g a n d E xe rc ise s in I n dia
D e f e n c e C o o p er a tion Agre e me n t
Year signed
Air F o rce
Tr ai ni ng 2 0 07; Army
Tr ai ni ng 2 0 08
T he Bi l ateral Ag reements fo r Ai r F o rce and
Army Trai ni ng w ere renew ed i n 2012 and 2013
respecti vel y fo r ano ther fi ve years.
O c to ber
2 0 03
Legal Cooperation
Event
M u t u a l L e g a l A ssista n c e Tre a ty ( ML AT) in
Criminal Matters
Year signed
Ju ne 2005
Education Cooperation
Event
Year signed
M e m o r a n d u m o f Un de r sta n din g ( MO U) on
t h e e s t a b l i s h me n t of Na la n da Un ive r sity
O c to ber
2 0 13
M OU j o i ntl y si g ned by parti ci pati ng co untri es o f
the East Asi a Summi t such as Brunei Darussal am,
Republ i c o f Indo nesi a and M al aysi a.
M e mo r a n d u m o f Un de r sta n din g ( MO U)
o n Vo c a t i o n a l E du c a tion a n d Skills
D e v e l o p me n t
Ju ly 2012
A separate MOU was signed with the State
Gover nment of New Delhi for our collaboration in
setting up the World Class Skills Centre in New Delhi.
M e mo r a n d u m o f Un de r sta n din g ( MO U) on
S c i e n c e a n d Te c h n ology Co-ope r a tion
Ju ne 2005
Si g ned between Ag ency fo r Sci ence, Techno l o g y
and Research (A*Star) and Indi a’s M i ni stry o f
Sci ence and Techno l o g y.
Cultural Cooperation
Event
M e m o r a n d u m o f Un de r sta n din g ( MO U) on
C u l t u re a n d H e rita ge
M e m o r a n d u m o f Un de r sta n din g ( MO U)
o n C o o p e r a t i o n in th e Fie lds of th e Ar ts,
H e r i t a g e , A rc h i v e s a n d L ibr a r y
Year signed
Apri l 2002
1 9 93
U nder thi s M OU , Indi a l o aned several artefacts and
pai nti ng s to the Asi an C i vi l i sati o ns M useum.
F o l l o wi ng thi s M OU , fi ve Ex ecuti ve Pro g rammes
(EPs) have been si g ned. T he F i fth EP was si g ned i n
N o vember 2011 and ex pi res o n 31 December 2014.
Public Service Cooperation
Event
M e m o r a n d u m o f Un de r sta n din g ( MO U)
o n C o o p e r a t i o n in th e Fie ld of Pe r son n e l
M a n a g e m e n t a n d Pu blic Admin istr a tion
Year signed
November
2 0 11
S IN
192
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This commemorative volume would not have been possible without the generous contribution,
assistance and goodwill of numerous people and institutions. The support we have received for
this project has been invaluable. We would like to acknowledge and thank:
•
T h e S t e e r i n g Committe e c ompr isin g Profe ssor Tan Tai
Yo n g , M r S ee Ch a k Mu n , Mr Joh n son Pa u l, Mr Laurence
B a y a n d M r Jon a th a n Tow for th e ir gu ida n c e .
•
T h e re s e a rc h te a m c on sistin g of Ms Ta n L i-Je n, M r
R a h u l A d v a n i, Ms R in ish a Du tt a n d Mr Se e Chak M un
f ro m I S A S f or th e ir re se a rc h a n d wr itin g; Dr Ami tendu
P a l i t a n d M s Ch a n dr a n i Sh a r ma for th e ir in pu ts o n
t h e Tr a d e a n d I n ve stme n t in th e c h a pte r on e co no mi c
re l a t i o n s b e twe e n I n dia a n d Sin ga pore . Dr R a jesh
R a i a n d M r P. S. Su r a ya n a r a ya n a for th e ir e dito ri al
c o m me n t s o n th e fir st dr a ft; Ms Sith a r a Dor ia samy
( S e n i o r M a n a ge r, Cor por a te Commu n ic a tion s, Insti tute
o f S o u t h A s ia n Stu die s) for h e r a ssista n c e with
o b t a i n i n g p hotogr a ph s from th e I SAS a rc h ive s .
•
•
IN D
P ro f e s s o r V i n e e ta Sin h a ( He a d of th e Sou th Asi an
S t u d i e s P ro g r a mme , Na tion a l Un ive r sity of Sing apo re)
f o r h e r c o mme n ts a n d in sigh ts in to th e c u ltu r al and
re l i g i o u s l i n k a ge s be twe e n Sin ga pore a n d I n di a, and
M d m N u r J a n n a h Moh a me d ( Ma n a ge r, Sou th Asi an
S t u d i e s P ro g r a mme , NUS) for a llowin g u s to repro duce
t h e i m a g e o f th e Sou th Asia n Stu die s Progr a m me
booth.
M i n i s t r y o f F ore ign Affa ir s, Sin ga pore ( MFA) : I n
p a r t i c u l a r, t he Sou th Asia a n d Su b-Sa h a r a n Af ri ca
D i re c t o r a t e , Ajit Sin gh , Con su l-G e n e r a l of Sin g apo re
i n M u mb a i a n d R oy Kh o Con su l-G e n e r a l in Ch ennai fo r
t h e i r c o n t r i bu tion s; Ms L ie w L i L in , Assista n t Di recto r
( S o u t h A s i a ) a n d Ms L im B e e L e n g, L ibr a r ia n , fo r thei r
a s s i s t a n c e with ph otogr a ph s from th e MFA a rchi ves;
M r E d m u n d C h ia , for me r De pu ty Dire c tor G e n eral
( S o u t h A s i a a n d Su b Sa h a r a Afr ic a Dire c tor a te) fo r hi s
s u g g e s t i o n s on th e book ou tlin e .
•
M s V i j a y T h a ku r Sin gh , High Commission e r of Indi a
t o S i n g a p o re, a n d Ms Pa r a mita Tr ipa th i, De pu ty H i g h
C o mmi s s i o n e r for th e ir su ppor t a n d a ssista n c e wi th
o b t a i n i n g a rch iva l ph otogr a ph s for th e pu blic ati o n.
•
N e h r u M e mor ia l Mu se u m & L ibr a r y, Ne w De lh i, and
t h e P h o t o D ivision , Min istr y of I n for ma tion a n d
B ro a d c a s t i n g, G ove r n me n t of I n dia for sh a r in g
p re v i o u s l y u n pu blish e d a rc h iva l ph otogr a ph s.
•
T h e N a t i o n a l Mu se u m of Sin ga pore ( NMS) for al l o wi ng
u s t o re p ro d u c e ph otogr a ph s from its c olle c tio n, and i n
p a r t i c u l a r, M s An ge lita Te o ( Dire c tor ) , Mr Da n i el T ham
( C u r a t o r ) a n d Mdm Ta n Ch or Koon ( L ibr a r ia n )
f o r t h e i r a s s ista n c e .
•
M r S h a b b i r H a ssa n bh a i a n d Mr Ame e r a li Ju mabho y fo r
t h e i r re c o l l e c tion s a n d va lu a ble ph otogr a ph s.
•
T he fo l l o wi ng co mpani es w hi ch pro vi ded i nfo rmati o n
o n thei r busi ness presence i n Indi a/Si ng apo re and th e
val uabl e pho to g raphs: C api taLand, Sembco rp, Bhart i
Enterpri se, Raffl es Educati o n C o rpo rati o n, H yfl ux ,
J uro ng Inter nati o nal , Si ng apo re Industri al Arbi trati o n
C entre (SIAC ), M ei nhardt, YC H , Ascendas, Tata Gro u p ,
C o nfederati o n o f Indi an Industri es (C II), Punj Ll o yd,
N atsteel , Vo l tas , State Bank o f Indi a, Info sys, Tech
M ahi ndra (TechM ), Ramco . M r Syamal Gupta fo r
hi s co ntri buti o n o n the hi sto ry o f the Tata Gro up i n
Si ng apo re wi th pho to g raphs.
•
Ro bert Greg Shand Archi tects fo r thei r i nval uabl e
pi ctures o f the Indi an H eri tag e C entre w hi ch i s sti l l
under co nstructi o n.
•
M r C hang C hee Pey (Ex ecuti ve Di recto r, So uth Asi a,
M i ddl e East and Afri ca, Si ng apo re To uri sm Bo ard) for
hi s co mments and i nsi g hts i nto Si ng apo re to uri sm,
and M s Li Yuemi n (Seni o r M anag er, West & So uth As i a
and Afri ca, Si ng apo re To uri sm Bo ard) fo r al l o wi ng us
to repro duce i mag es o f the Si ng apo re To uri sm Bo ard ’s
po sters featuri ng Indi an to uri sts.
•
M r Vi sh Iyer (Presi dent - Asi a Paci fi c, Tata C o nsul tan cy
Servi ces), M r Sanj i v Ai yar (Presi dent o f Pan IIM Al um ni
Si ng apo re and F o under o f ApK ar C o nsul ti ng ) and Dr
M ei ra C hand fo r thei r co mments o n Indi an ex patri ate s .
•
M s J ane Lee (M anag er, C o rpo rate C o mmuni cati o ns,
Si ng apo re Inter nati o nal F o undati o n) fo r pro vi di ng
i nfo rmati o n and i mag es o f the Si ng apo re Inter nati o n al
F o undati o n’s vari o us pro j ects i n Indi a.
•
M r M ax Pang Wen Xi ang and M s J acquel i ne H o
T heng T heng (Pro j ect Inspi ri ng Indi a, N ati o nal
U ni versi ty o f Si ng apo re) fo r al l o wi ng us to i ntervi ew
them o n thei r ex peri ences o f vo l unteeri ng i n Indi a,
and fo r pro vi di ng us w i th i mag es o f the Pro j ect
Inspi ri ng Indi a team i n Bang al o re.
•
M r Geo rg e Abraham fo r pro vi di ng a pho to g raph o f
fo rmer C hi ef M i ni ster o f Guj arat N arendra M o di and
Dr Bal aj i Sadasi van at the Gl o bal Indi an Busi ness
Summi t i n Si ng apo re i n 2006.
•
Si ng apo re Press H o l di ng s, N ati o nal Li brary Bo ard,
N ati o nal Archi ves o f Si ng apo re, Asi an C i vi l i zati o n
M useum, N ati o nal H eri tag e Bo ard, Raffl es H o tel ,
Spo rt Si ng apo re, Bhask ar’s Arts Academy and Apunka
C ho i ce fo r al l o wi ng us to repro duce materi al s fro m
thei r co l l ecti o n.
•
M s Rashmi U dayk umar (H ead o f Admi ssi o ns, S P
J ai n Scho o l o f Gl o bal M anag ement) fo r pro vi di ng us
wi th a pho to g raph o f the S P J ai n Scho o l o f Gl o bal
M anag ement Si ng apo re C ampus
193
ENDNOTES
Ch ap t er 1
1
Rajesh Rai, Indians in Singapore (New Delhi:
Oxford University Press, 2014), p. xvi.
2
Bonny Tan, “Raffles landing in Singapore”,
Singapore: National Library Board, 2010.
<http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/
articles/SIP_131_2005-01-03.html>
Accessed on 19 November 2013.
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
H. T. Haughton, “The Landing of Raffles
in Singapore by an Eyewitness”, JSBRAS,
10, 1882, in Tan Sri Dato’ Mubin Sheppard,
ed., Singapore 150 Years (Singapore: Times
Books International for Malaysian Branch of
the Royal Asiatic Society, 1982), pp. 74—75.
H. F. Pearson, Singapore: A Popular History,
1819-1960 (Singapore: Times Books
International, 1985), cited in Mark R. Frost
and Yu-Mei Balasingamchow, Singapore: A
Biography (Singapore: Editions Didier Millet
and National Museum of Singapore, 2009),
p. 65.
Frost and Balasingamchow, Singapore:
A Biography, p. 65.
Bonny Tan and Valerie Chew, “Sri
Mariamman Temple”, Singapore: National
Library Board, 2004. <http://eresources.nlb.
gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_778_2004-1223.html> Accessed on 24 July 2014.
Torsten Tschacher, “Circulating Islam:
Understanding Convergence and
Divergence in the Islamic Traditions of
Ma’bar and Nusantara”, in R. Michael
Feener and Terenjit Sevea, eds., Islamic
Connections: Muslim Societies in South
and Southeast Asia (Singapore: ISEAS
Publishing, 2009), p. 58.
Torsten Tschacher, “Nagore Durgah”
(Singapore: Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim
Heritage Centre, 2011), p. 13.
Vernon Cornelius-Takahama and Joanna Tan,
“Jamae Mosque”, Singapore: National Library
Board, 2004. <http://eresources.nlb.gov.
sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_520_2004-12-16.
html> Accessed on 28 March 2014. See also
Vernon Cornelius-Takahama and Joanna Tan,
“Nagore Durgha Shrine”, (Singapore: National
Library Board, 2004). < http://eresources.nlb.
gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_536_2004-1227.html> Accessed on 28 March 2014.
10 Frost and Balasingamchow, Singapore: A
Biography, pp. 119—121.
11 Vernon Cornelius-Takahama and Joanna Tan,
“St Andrew’s Cathedral”, Singapore: National
gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_25_2_2008-1201.html> Accessed on 28 March 2014.
12 George Netto, Indians in Malaya: Historical
Facts and Figures (Singapore: Privately
published by the author, 1961), cited in
Anthony R. Walker, ed., New Place, Old
Ways: Essays on Indian Society and Culture
in Modern Singapore (Delhi: Hindustan
Publishing Corporation, 1994), p. 7.
13 Brij V. Lal, Peter Reeves and Rajesh Rai,
eds., The Encyclopedia of the Indian
Diaspora (Singapore: Editions Didier Millet,
2007), p. 177.
14 K. S. Sandhu, “Indian Immigration and
Settlement in Singapore” in K. S. Sandhu
and A. Mani, eds., Indian Communities
in Southeast Asia (Singapore: Institute
of Southeast Asian Studies, 1993), pp.
774—775.
1 5 J . F. A. M cN ai r assi sted by W. D.
Bayl i ss, Pri so ners T hei r Own Wa rders
(Westmi ni ster: Archi bal d C o nstabl e and
C o ., 1899), pp. 43—44.
16 Ibid.
17 McNair, Prisoners Their Own Warders, cited
in Frost and Balasingamchow, Singapore: A
Biography, p. 125.
Biography, p. 125.
26 A. Mani, “Indians in Singapore Society” in
K. S. Sandhu and A. Mani, eds., Indian
Communities in Southeast Asia (Singapore:
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1993),
p. 793.
27 John Cameron, Our Tropical Possessions
in Malayan India (London: Smith, Elder and
Co., 1865), cited in Walker, New Place, Old
Ways, p. 11.
28 Lal, Reeves and Rai, The Encyclopedia
of the Indian Diaspora, p. 178. See also
Walker, New Place, Old Ways, p. 15.
29 Sandhu, “Indian Immigration and Settlement
in Singapore”, p. 781.
30 Tan Wee-Liang and Jayarani Tan,
From Commercial Entrepreneurship to
International Networks: The Case of the
Chettiars in Asia (Research Collection Lee
Kong Chian School Of Business, 2011),
p. 6. <http://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_
research/3214 > Accessed on 15 April 2014.
in Singapore”, pp. 781—782.
32 Tan and Tan, From Commercial
Entrepreneurship to International Networks,
p. 8.
19 McNair, Prisoners Their Own Warders, pp.
84—89.
33 Ibid., p. 2.
20 Frank Marryant, “Indian Convicts”, in John
Bastin, ed., Travellers’ Singapore: An
Anthology (Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University
Press, 1994), p. 55.
Biography, p. 231.
Biography, p. 135.
22 The Selangor Journal, Volume 4, 1895, cited
in Lal, Reeves and Rai, The Encyclopedia of
the Indian Diaspora, p. 178.
23 K. S. Sandhu, Indians in Malaya: Some
Aspects of their Immigration and Settlement
(1786 – 1957) (Great Britain: Cambridge
University Press, 1969), pp. 75—114. See
also Usha Mahajani, The Role of Indian
Minorities in Burma and Malaya (New York:
Vora & Co. Publishers, 1959), pp. 95—98.
24 K. S. Sandhu, “The Coming of the Indians
to Malaysia” in K. S. Sandhu and A. Mani,
eds., Indian Communities in Southeast Asia
(Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian
Studies, 1993), pp. 152—153.
25 K. S. Sandhu, “Some Aspects of Indian
Settlement in Singapore, 1819 – 1969”,
Journal of Southeast Asian History, 10 (2):
193—201, 1969.
34 Ibid., p. 13.
36 Tan and Tan, From Commercial
Entrepreneurship to International Networks,
p. 2.
37 Amarjit Kaur, “North Indians in Malaya:
A Study of their Economic, Social and
Political Activities with Special Reference
to Selangor, 1870s – 1940s”, unpublished
M.A. dissertation, Department of History,
Kuala Lumpur, University of Malaya, 1973,
pp. 19—23.
38 Lal, Reeves and Rai, The Encyclopedia of
in Singapore”, p. 783.
40 Rai, Indians in Singapore, pp. 178 – 180.
41 Ibid., p. 188.
Biography, p. 302.
43 Lal, Reeves and Rai, The Encyclopedia of
S IN
194
Chapter 2
19 Lee, From Third World to First, p. 455.
1
20 “Why India must open up economy more
rapidly”, The Straits Times, 22 January
1994, p. 4.
2
Text of speech by Prime Minister Lee Kuan
Yew at a rally to pay homage to Pandit
Nehru at the Jalan Besar Stadium on
Saturday, May 30th 1964.
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile
Advertiser, 28 May 1937, <http://eresources.
nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/
singfreepressb19370528-1.2.54.aspx>
Accessed on 22 April 2014.
3
Lal, Reeves and Rai, The Encyclopedia of
4
The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile
Advertiser, 28 May 1937.
5
Sunanda K. Datta-Ray, Looking East to
Look West: Lee Kuan Yew’s Mission India
(Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian
Studies, 2009), pp. 55—56.
6
“A Commemorative Booklet: The Unveiling
of the Jawaharlal Nehru Bust and Marker
on 20 November 2011”, published by the
National Heritage Board, Singapore with
the support of the Indian High Commission,
Singapore, 2011, p. 7.
7
Ibid., p. 5.
8
“Plan for Malaysia has Nehru’s Blessing”,
Times of India, 25 April 1962, p. 9.
9
“Lee’s triumph: Joint Council of Action men
silent”, The Straits Times, 20 July 1962, p. 1.
10 “Malaysia is not neo-colonial plot, says Lee”,
Times of India, 26 February 1964, p. 1.
11 “Important role ahead of S’pore, says Chagla”,
The Straits Times, 11 May 1967, p.7.
21 Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s
concluding address to the 7th Asian Security
Conference in Delhi, 29 January 2005.
23 “President Nathan says new strategic
equilibrium in the Asia-Pacific with the end
of the Cold War will result in an important
role for New Delhi”, The Straits Times,
11 November 2000, p. 31.
25 “India has big role to play in Asia’s progress
and stability: Nathan”, The Straits Times, 2
February 2006, p. 4.
26 Nirmal Ghosh, “India a key player in S-E
Asia: President Nathan”, The Straits Times,
5 January 2003, p. 4.
Gateway DistriParks, The Stor y of a
successful Singapore-India Joint Venture, a
GDL publication, July 2012.
9
“Parameswara Holdings reassesses India
strategy”, The Straits Times, 1 August 1998.
10 Shobhana Subramanian, “The India story
remains very intact”, Business Standard,
30 March 2007.
Chapter 4
1
Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad, “Culture and
complementarities”, in Yong Mun Cheong
and V. V. Bhanoji Rao, eds., Singapore-India
Relations: A Primer (Singapore: Singapore
University Press, 1995), p. 64.
2
Chang Toh Chuang, “Singapore’s Little
India: A Tourist Attraction as a Contested
Landscape”, Urban Studies, 37(2): 349,
2000.
3
Eng Kuah Khun, “State, Conservation and
Ethnicization of Little India in Singapore”,
Urban Anthropology and Studies of Cultural
Systems and World Economic Development,
27(1): 34, 1998.
4
Sharon Siddique and Nirmala Puru Shotam,
Singapore’s Little India: Past, Present, and
Future (Singapore: Institute of South East
Asian Studies, 1990), p. 100.
5
Ibid., p. 124.
6
Joan C. Henderson, “Managing Urban
Ethnic Heritage: Little India in Singapore”,
International Journal of Heritage Studies,
14(4): 339, 2008.
7
Eng, “State, Conservation and Ethnicization
of Little India in Singapore”, pp. 25—27.
8
Ibid., p. 41.
9
Chang, “Singapore’s Little India”, p. 358.
27 Ghosh, “President’s India visit sets stage
for cooperation”, The Straits Times, 6
January 2003, p. 4.
28 Ghosh, “President Nathan to visit tech hubs”,
The Straits Times, 6 January 2003, p. 4.
29 Ghosh, “President Nathan: New India
merging”, The Straits Times, 12 January
2003, p. 16.
Chapter 3
1
2
“BG Lee’s visit to India: SIA may be asked
to help set up domestic Indian airline”,
The Business Times, 26 March 1992, p. 1
“Bombay proposes 5 major joint ventures
with Singapore”, The Business Times,
12 February 1993, p. 1.
3
“India seeking JTC’s help to develop
Madras project”, The Business Times, 6—7
February 1993, p. 3.
4
Neel Patri, “Madras-Singapore industry
and trade corridor plan being revived”,
The Business Times, 20 July 1992.
16 Kripa Sridharan, The ASEAN Region in
India’s Foreign Policy (Aldershot: Dartmouth
Publishing, 1996), p. 38.
5
“IT industry a good bet: Boon Heng. Singapore
investors urged to tap India’s software
engineers”, The Business Times, 15 Feb 1993.
17 Lee Kuan Yew, From Third World to First:
The Singapore Stor y, 1965- 2000 (Singapore
Press Holdings, 2000).
6
Mukul G. Asher and Ramkishen S. Rajan,
“Singapore-India Economic Relations:
Exploring Synergies for Mutual Benefit”,
in Yong Mun Cheong and V. V. Bhanoji Rao,
eds., Singapore-India Relations: A Primer
(Singapore: Singapore University Press,
1995), p. 160.
15 “Indira off after two-day talks in S’pore”,
The Straits Times, 21 May 1968, p. 1.
IN D
8
24 “Call to form knowledge platform: Indian
president names India, S’pore, Philippines,
Korea for proposal”, The Business Times,
2 February 2006, p. 10.
13 “Malaysia, S’pore briefed on India offer of
aid”, The Straits Times, 25 June 1967, p. 7.
18 Joint Statement by ASEAN Foreign
Ministers, 9 July 1980, New York.
“Gateway plans $12m expansion”,
The Straits Times, 5 December 2000.
22 The Straits Times, 16 September 1971, p. 1.
12 “India to S’pore: A plane and 80 horses”,
The Straits Times, 10 May 1967, p. 10.
1 4 “ M r s I n d i r a G a n dh i a r r ive d h e re toda y for
a t w o - d a y v i sit a n d c a lle d for a broa de r
b a s e f o r re g ion a l c oope r a tion ”, Th e Str aits
Ti m e s, 2 0 M a y 1 9 6 8 , p. 1 .
7
10 Eng, “State, Conservation and Ethnicization
of Little India in Singapore”, pp. 25—26.
11 Melody Zaccheus, “Hindu temple to reopen
after $7m makeover”, The Straits Times,
2014. <http://www.straitstimes.com/
news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/
story/hindu-temple-reopen-after-7mmakeover-20140602> Accessed on 28
October 2014.
12 Min Lee, “Sri Thendayuthapani Temple
gazetted as Singapore’s 67th national
monument”, Asia One, 2014. <http://
news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/
sri-thendayuthapani-temple-becomessingapores-67th-national-monument>
Accessed on 28 October 2014.
13 Sarah McIntosh, “Mustafa Centre”,
GuidePal, 2000. <http://guidepal.com/
singapore/shopping/mustafa-centre>
Accessed on 28 July 2014.
7
“3,084 Indian firms set up shops in
Singapore”, Rediff, 2008. <http://www.
rediff.com/money/2008/mar/19india.htm>
Accessed on 5 December 2013.
8
Yahya and Kaur, The Migration of Human
Capital, pp. 88—89.
34 Ibid.
9
Interview with Sanjiv Aiyar on 12 June 2014.
35 IIFA, “IIFA Through The Years – IIFA 2004:
Singapore”, IIFA, 2014. <http://iifa.com/
iifa-years/iifa-years-2004/> Accessed on 5
December 2013.
10 Interview with Vish Iyer on 10 June 2014
17 Nureza Ahmad, “Mohamed Mustafa and
Samsudin Co Pte Ltd”, Singapore Infopedia,
2005. <http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/
infopedia/articles/SIP_442_2005-02-03.
html> Accessed on 14 April 2014.
36 “Moder n look at Indian dance”, The Straits
Times, 29 April 2014, p. 2.
13 Interview with Meira Chand on 18 June
2014.
37 “Meeting of minds on Indian dance form”,
The Straits Times, 3 December 2014, p. 9.
14 Interview with Vish Iyer on 10 June 2014.
18 “Indian Heritage Centre Moves One Step
Closer to Realisation with Ground-Breaking
Ceremony”, Singapore: National Heritage
Board, 10 April 2013.
38 Fabius Chen, “ActiveSG: $100 credits for
S’poreans, PRs to get sporty & healthy”,
The Straits Times, 2014. <http://goo.gl/
bs1EBC> Accessed on 8 February 2014.
19 “Showcase of Diverse Artefacts from
the Community for the Upcoming Indian
Heritage Centre”, Singapore: National
Archives of Singapore, 20 May 2014.
39 Deepika Shetty, “More Singapore content
and experimental works at Indian arts
festival”, The Straits Times, 2014. <http://
www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/theatredance/story/more-singapore-contentand-experimental-works-indian-artsfestival-201> Accessed 6 November 2014.
16 Li Sen Siow, “Private banks intensify efforts
to woo rich non-resident Indians”, The
Business Times, 2011. <http://www.asiaone.
com/Business/News/My+Money/Story/
A1Story20110331-271087.html> Accessed
on 6 October 2013.
14 “Mustafa Centre”, YourSingapore, 2013.
<http://goo.gl/Xg06uq> Accessed on 28
July 2014.
15 “Mustafa Centre”, Little India, Singapore,
2010. <http://www.littleindia.com.sg/Mustaffa_
Centre.aspx> Accessed on 28 July 2014.
16 Ibid.
20 “The Golden Age of Malay Cinema”, Shaw
Theatres, 2014. <http://www.shaw.sg>
Accessed on 7 June 2014.
21 Ibid.
22 “Singapore Cinema”, National Institute of
Education, 2014. <http://www.hsse.nie.edu.
sg/staff/blackbur n/examsingaporecinema1.
htm> Accessed on 6 June 2014.
23 “A Century of Cinemas, Movies and
Blockbusters”, Remember Singapore, 2012.
<http://remembersingapore.wordpress.
com/2012/08/02/singapore-cinemashistory/> Accessed on 6 June 2014.
24 Selvaraj Velayutham, “The Diaspora and
the Global Circulation of Tamil Cinema”,
in Selvaraj Velayutham, ed., Tamil Cinema:
The Cultural Politics of India’s Other Film
Industry (New York: Routledge, 2008),
p. 175.
25 Audrey Yue, “Film-Induced Domestic
Tourism in Singapore: The Case of Krrish”,
in Shalini Singh, ed., Domestic Tourism in
Asia: Diversity and Divergence (London:
Earthscan, 2009), p. 267.
32 Surekha A. Yadav, “Singapore set to be a
regular stop for the roving Inter national
Indian Film Academy Awards”, Forbes,
2012. <http://goo.gl/hGQkzB> Accessed on
5 December 2013.
33 Ibid.
40 “Roti Prata”, YourSingapore, 2013. <http://
goo.gl/OSUTBM> Accessed on 10 March
2014.
41 “Fish Head Curry”, YourSingapore, 2013.
<http://goo.gl/zfKBLN> Accessed on 10
March 2014.
42 Eunice Quek, “Dip into history with Indian
eateries boasting traditional flavours”,
The Straits Times, 2013. <http://www.
straitstimes.com/the-big-story/caseyou-missed-it/story/dip-history-indianeateries-boasting-traditional-flavours-201>
Accessed on 11 March 2014.
43 Ibid.
Chapter 5
1
Faizal Yahya and Arunajeet Kaur, The
Migration of Human Capital: The Ebb and
Flow of Indian Professionals in Southeast
Asia (Abingdon: Routledge, 2011), p. 5.
2
Interview with Meira Chand on 18 June
2014.
26 Ibid.
3
Capital, p. 157.
4
Interview with Sanjiv Aiyar on 12 June 2014
5
Capital, pp. 157—158.
27 Ibid., p. 275.
28 Ibid.
29 Ibid., p. 278.
30 Ibid., p. 272.
31 The Straits Times, 18 July 2013, p. 5.
6
Ibid, p. 5.
195
11 Ibid.
12 Interview with Sanjiv Aiyar on 12 June 2014.
15 Interview with Meira Chand on 18 June 2014.
17 Ibid.
18 “Singapore Tourism Board now focusing on
cruise tourism”, The Economic Times, 2009.
<http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.
com/2009-07-14/news/28389147_1_cruisetourism-international-cruise-terminal-cruiseholidays> Accessed on 12 November 2013.
19 “Exploring new frontiers with the Indian
Institutes of Management”, Singapore
Management University, 2013. <http://
www.smu.edu.sg/news/2013/04/11/
exploring-new-frontiers-indian-institutesmanagement> Accessed on 8 May 2014.
20 Chitra A. Deepa, “Singapore keen on
student exchange programme”, The Hindu,
2006. <http://www.thehindu.com/todayspaper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/singaporekeen-on-student-exchange-programme/
article3095197.ece> Accessed on 9 May
2014.
21 “Singapore students interact with Surjit
Singh Barnala”, The Hindu, 2006. <http://
www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/
tp-tamilnadu/singapore-students-interactwith-surjit-singh-barnala/article3116649.
ece> Accessed on May 9 2014.
22 Susan Muthalaly, “Singapore Minister visits
City College to explore future tie-ups”,
The Hindu, 2006. <http://www.thehindu.
com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/
singapore-minister-visits-city-college-toexplore-future-tieups/article3095931.ece>
Accessed on 9 May 2014.
23 “Singapore taking steps to promote Tamil”,
Zee News, 2010. <http://goo.gl/vNeNmt>
Accessed on 10 May 2014.
S IN
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198
INDEX
A b d u l G a f o o r M o squ e , 1 4 1
Gandhi , Raj i v, 54—55
K al aa U tsavam, 156 — 157
A f ro - A s i a n P e o p le s’ Solida r ity Assoc ia tion
O rg a n i z a t i o n ( A APSO ) , 4 3
Gatew ay Di stri park s Li mi ted (GDL), 96, 97
K al am, Abdul , 60, 6 3, 72, 74, 84, 181
Gi ri V. V., 52, 68
K ar natak a, 74, 76, 78, 81
Al-Abrar Mosque, 15
Gl o bal Indi an Inter nati o nal Scho o l , 180
K athak al i , 157
A n d h r a P r a d e s h , 6 6 , 7 6 , 8 0 —8 1
Go h, C ho k To ng , 42, 55—59, 62—63, 66-67,
71—72, 76—77, 80, 88
K o h, To mmy, 92
A S E A N , 4 7 , 5 2 - 58 , 6 0 , 6 4 , 6 8 , 7 1 —7 2 , 7 4
Go h, K eng Sw ee, 125
Lee, H si en Lo o ng , 60, 62, 64, 66, 72, 77, 80
A S E A N R e g i o n a l For u m, 5 6 , 5 8 , 6 0
Go wda, Deve, 56, 76
Aspen Institute, 128
Hassanbhai , Shabbi r, 96, 98
Lee, K uan Yew, 38, 41- 4, 49- 50, 52, 54, 68,
71—72, 88
Azad Hind, 34
Heng , Samri n, 54
Li ttl e Indi a, 140—14 8, 161
Bengali Cinema, 154
Hi ndi C i nema, 153
M adras, 22, 32
Bhangra, 157
Ho n, Sui Sen, 125
M adras-Si ng apo re C orri d or, 76, 78
B h a r a t a n a t y a m, 1 5 7
Hyfl ux , 102, 109
M aharashtra, 76—77, 81
B o mb a y Ta l k i e s , 1 5 3
I ndenture system, 22
M al aysi a Pl an, 43—44
B o s e , S u b h a s Ch a n dr a , 3 4 , 3 9
I ndi a Busi ness F o rum, 128
M ehta, F reddi e, 125
B r i t i s h E a s t I n d i a Compa n y, 1 1
I ndi a F ever, 55, 76, 92
M ei nhardt, 116—117
C a mb o d i a / D e m oc r a tic Ka mpu c h e a , 5 4
I ndi an H eri tag e C entre, 147—148
M eno n, Lask hmi , 43— 44
C a p i t a L a n d , 1 0 2, 1 0 4 —1 0 5
I ndi a-Si ng apo re Defence C o -o perati o n, 82
M o di , N arendra, 66, 81,169, 183,185
C e n t r a l S i k h G u rdwa r a , 1 4 1
I ndi a-Si ng apo re Parl i amentary Gro up, 64
M o o l g ao k ar, Sumant, 125
Chagla M. C., 47
I ndi a-Si ng apo re Strateg i c Di al o g ue (ISSD), 128
M uk herj ee, Pranab, 60, 64
Chand, Meira, 164, 167
I ndi an co nvi ct l abo ur, 16—21
M ustafa C entre, 144— 146
C h a n r a i , K a w a l r a m, 9 2
I ndi an Independence Leag ue, 32
N ag o re Durg ha, 15
C h a u d h u r y, J o y o te e R a y, 1 7 5
I ndi an Insti tute o f M anag ement, 164—165, 178
N ai du, C handra Bab u, 80
Chettiars, 28-9, 143
I ndi an Inter nati o nal F i l m Academy Aw ards
( IIFA), 154
N al anda U ni versi ty p roj ect, 60, 84— 85
Choo, Winston, 54
I ndi an N ati o nal Army (IN A), 32, 34, 39
N athan, S. R., 39, 7 1— 72, 74
Chulias, 14—15
I ndi an pro fessi o nal s, 26, 164-167
N ati o nal H eri tag e B oard , 42, 147— 148
C o l o m b o P l a n , 39
I ndi an traders, 14—15, 26
C o m p re h e n s i v e E c on omic Co-ope r a tion
A g re e m e n t ( C E C A) , 5 8 , 6 2 , 7 4
I ndi an l abo urers, 22—24
N ati o nal U ni versi ty of S i ngap ore,
176, 183, 185
I ndi an Wri ters’ F esti val , 158
N ehru, J awaharl al , 31, 38— 44
C o m p re h e n s i v e E c on omic Coope r a tion
A g re e m e n t , 1 7 2
I nfo sys, 131
N ew Del hi , 76, 83
I nsti tute o f So uth Asi an Studi es, 128,
185—186
N g , Po k To o , 127
I nter nati o nal Tami l F i l m Aw ards (IT FA), 150
Parameswara H o l dings LTD ( P H L) , 96— 97
I nter nati o nal Techno l o g y Park Bang al o re
( IT PB), 74, 76, 78, 94
Peo pl e’s Acti o n Par ty, 43
D e e p a v a l i , 1 0 , 14 2
I nvestment, 101—102
Pi l l ai , N arai na, 14—15
D e f e n c e C o - o p e r a tion Agre e me n t ( 2 0 0 3 ) , 8 2
I stana, 20-21
Prasad, Raj endra, 43
Dhoby Ghaut, 26
Jamae M o sque, 15
Pro j ect Inspi ri ng Ind i a, 176
D i a m o n d T h e a t re, 1 5 0
Jaw aharl al N ehru Award fo r Inter nati o nal
Understandi ng , 62
PSA Inter nati o nal , 1 01, 103,122
Education, 178
Jayal al i thaa, J ., 76, 78
Radhak ri shnan, Sar v ep al l i , 43
F i s h h e a d c u r r y, 1 6 1
Jumabho y, A., 92
Raffl es Educati o n In ter nati onal , 103, 110
G a n d h i , I n d i r a , 3 8 —4 1 , 4 4 , 4 8 —5 1 , 5 4 —5 5
Juro ng Inter nati o nal , 112—113
Raffl es, Stamfo rd, 11, 14
A s c e n d a s , 9 4 , 10 2 , 1 1 7 , 1 2 0
C h i d a mb a r a m, P., 5 6
C o n f e d e r a t i o n o f I n dia n I n du str ie s ( CI I ) ,
128—129
D a i r y f a r mi n g , 2 6
Das, Chandra, 127
E a s t A s i a n S u mmit ( E AS) , 6 0
IN D
K o hl i , F. C ., 127
N arayanan K. R., 69 — 70
N o n-Al i g ned M o vem ent, 43— 44
Pi l l ai , Go pi nath, 126— 127
Punj Ll yo d, 130
R a j a r a t n a m, S . , 4 9 , 5 1 , 5 3 , 6 8
Ta ta Iro n and Steel , 127
RAMCO, 136
Ta ta Preci si o n Industri es (T PI), 124—126
R e s e r v e B a n k o f I n dia , 1 8 8
Ta ta, J .R.D., 127
R e x C i n e ma , 1 5 0
Ta ta, Ratan N , 77—78, 127
Roti Prata, 159—160
Te ch M ahi ndra (TechM ), 137
S e l f - R e s p e c t M o ve me n t, 3 2
Te masek , 11, 14
S e m b c o r p , 1 0 2 , 1 0 6 —1 0 7
Te masek H o l di ng s, 101, 108
S e r a n g o o n R o a d , 1 4 0 —1 4 2 , 1 4 6 , 1 6 1
Te x ti l e trade, 26
S h a n m u g a m, K . , 64 , 6 6 , 7 7 , 8 0 , 8 4 , 8 8
Tr ade, 99—101
S h a w B ro t h e r s , 1 49
Tr ade and Devel o pment Bo ard (T DB),
Sing apo re, 55
S h e a re s , B e n j a m in , 6 8
S i n g a p o re A i r l i n e s , 9 8 , 1 0 3
S i n g a p o re I n d i a n Assoc ia tion , 3 2
Uni ted N ati o ns Speci al C o mmi ttee o n
De-C o l o ni sati o n, 43
S i n g a p o re I n d i a n Ch a mbe r of Comme rc e ,
26, 38, 168
Vaj payee, Atal Bi hari , 58, 62, 74
S i n g a p o re I n d i a n Ch a mbe r of Comme rc e
a n d I n d u s t r y ( S I CCI ) , 9 4 , 9 6
Wo rl d C l ass Sk i l l s C entre, 83
S i n g a p o re I n t e r n a tion a l Ar bitr a tion Ce n tre
(SIAC), 114—115
199
Vo l tas, 133
Wo rl d C o nventi o n o f Indi an Entrepreneurs,
B usi nessmen and Pro fessi o nal s, 168
Wo rl d War II, 32, 34
S i n g a p o re I n t e r n a tion a l Fou n da tion , 1 7 3
YCH , 103, 118
S i n g a p o re M a n a g e me n t Un ive r sity, 1 7 8
Yeo , Geo rg e, 55, 60, 64, 77, 80, 84, 88
S i n g a p o re To u r i s m B oa rd, 1 7 1
Yeo , Phi l i p, 78
S i n g h , M a n mo h a n , 4 2 , 5 6 , 6 0 , 6 2 —6 3 , 8 8
Yuso f bi n Ishak , 49
S i n g Te l / B h a r t i , 1 0 8
Z ee C i ne Aw ards, 156
S n o w m a n L o g i s t i c s L imite d, 9 7
S o u t h A s i a n D i a s p or a Con ve n tion , 1 8 6
S o u t h A s i a n S t u d ie s Progr a mme , 1 8 3
S P J a i n I n s t i t u t e o f Ma n a ge me n t a n d
R e s e a rc h , 1 8 2
S r i M a r i a mma n Te mple , 1 5
S r i T h e n d a y u t h a p a n i Te mple , 1 4 2
S r i Ve e r a ma k a l i a mma n Te mple , 1 4 2
S t A n d re w ’s C a t h edr a l, 1 6 ,2 0
S t a t e B a n k o f I n d ia , 1 3 4 —1 3 5
S t r a i t s S e t t l e me n ts Polic e Forc e , 3 0
Suez Canal, 22
Sukarno, 43—44
S y a ma l G u p t a , 1 2 5 —1 2 7
Ta g o re , R a b i n d r a n a th , 3 1
Ta mi l C i n e ma , 1 5 0
Ta mi l N a d u , 1 4 , 1 5 , 2 2 , 2 8 , 6 6 , 7 6 , 7 8 , 8 1
Ta n g , I . F. , 1 2 5
Ta t a a n d S i n g a p o re , 1 2 4 —1 2 7
Ta t a C o n s u l t a n c y Se r vic e s ( TCS) , 1 2 6 —1 2 7
S IN
200
Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS)
National University of Singapore
29 Heng Mui Keng Terrace
#08/09-06 (Block B)
Singapore 119620
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singapore and india - Institute of South Asian Studies

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