New Delhi, July 9 (UNI): Becoming the first top foreign dignitary to visit India after the installation of a new government here, Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong today asked New Delhi to give an impetus to its "ook East" policy.
Goh, who arrived here last night on a three-day official visit, was talking to reporters at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan after he was accorded a ceremonial welcome.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed were among those who attended the ceremony.
Tong, who will receive the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding from President A P J Abdul Kalam later today, said his country desired increased investments in India.
The Singapore leader said he was looking forward to enhancing bilateral relations with India in diverse fields.
"I look forward to productive exchanges...
The disussions will focus on how to engage India with Singapore, ASEAN and East Asia," he said.
Pointing out that his fifth visit to India was aimed at renewing "personal friendship with the leadership" here, Tonk said Singapore wanted "ore investments"to flow into this country.
"It is more important for India to look east in political and strategic terms and increase economic relations with Singapore and ASEAN," he added as he spoke about his long association with Dr Manmohan Singh.
Foreign relations Govt will not rush into new arrangements: PM New Delhi, July 9 (UNI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today made it clear that his government will "ot rush" into any new arrangements in foreign relations but consider all options while seeking to achieve a broad domestic consensus.
"This is a new government.
We will look at all options.
Before rushing into new arrangements, we will have to evolve a broad domestic consensus," he told reporters while replying to a question on concluding a Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement with Singapore.
Dr Singh was talking to reporters during the ceremonial welcome of visiting Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The Prime Minister said discussions with Singapore on FTA were at an advanced stage and problems, if any, would be resolved.
The Singapore Prime Minister, who is the first top foreign dignitary to visit India after the installation of the new government, said India need not "rush in" into decisions but take a view after considering all aspects.
