PM Lee wraps up official visit to India

SINGAPORE: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wraps up his three—day official visit to India with a series of meetings with party leaders from both the government and opposition.

On Thursday morning, Mr Lee met the President of the Congress Party of India, Sonia Gandhi and the party’s General—Secretary, Rahul Gandhi.

Later on Thursday evening, Mr Lee will take part in a dialogue session at the Singapore Symposium organised by the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) and the Aspen Institute India.

Also addressing the dialogue is Singapore’s Education Minister, Heng Swee Keat, who will touch on the importance of educating every child as a key to sustainable development.

Mr Heng, together with the Indian Minister for Labour and Employment, on Thursday signed an MOU on Cooperation in Vocational Education and Skills Development.

Speaking to the Singapore media, Mr Heng said he hopes that the first intake of students for the World Class Skills Centre can take place within a year. He said the Indian government is committed to constructing the campus and the design work is currently being discussed.

He added trainers for the programme also need to be trained.

Mr Heng said Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education (ITE) will help by equipping "master" trainers with the right skills, so they in turn can replicate the efforts.

He said trainers from India can look toward the ITEs to see how local students work with industry to get practical and hands—on experience.

—CNA/ac