Page 2 - Singapore

Singapore President T Shanmugaratnam arrives on 5-day India visit

President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam arrived here on Tuesday night on a five-day visit that aims to further boost bilateral ties in a range of areas. Shanmugaratnam, accompanied by a high-level delegation, was received at the airport by Union Minister Jitin Prasada. It is his first visit to India as the Singapore president. "A special celebration of 60th anniversary of #IndiaSingapore diplomatic relations. President @Tharman_S of Singapore arrives in New Delhi on a State Visit," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on 'X'. On Thursday, Tharman will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. In the evening, he will hold discussions with President Droupadi Murmu following which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet him. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Tharman's visit is expected to provide further momentum to the bilateral relations. "President Tharman's visit is expected to provide further momentum to bilateral relatio

Singapore Prez to visit India on Jan 15 to mark 60 yrs of diplomatic ties

The relationship got a major boost last year after the India-Singapore ministerial roundtable, followed by Prime Minister Modi's visit to Singapore last year, according to diplomatic sources

India's ranking drops to 85th in Henley Passport Index, Singapore tops

India's ranking has dropped by five points to 85 this year in a global passport index, topped by Singapore for the second consecutive year. The data draws from Henley Passport Index released by citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners on Wednesday. "With historical data spanning 19 years, the Henley Passport Index is the only one of its kind based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA). The index includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations," according to its website. The index is considered the standard reference tool for global citizens and sovereign states when assessing where a passport ranks on the global mobility spectrum, it said. As per the index for 2025, India stands at 85th while the ranking of Pakistan and Bangladesh stood at 103rd (101st in 2024) and 100th (97th in 2024), respectively. India's ranking in the Henley Passport Index for 2024 was 80th globally. According to a data chart available on the firm's

For the first time, CBI posted three officials in INTERPOL for cooperation

A senior official confirmed that for timely redressal of issues related to transnational crimes and tracking fugitives, they have stationed three CBI officers - two in France and one in Singapore

Singapore and Malaysia to finalise deal creating vast economic zone

Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will officiate a ceremony on Tuesday for the economic zone in Malaysia's southern state of Johor

Singapore concerned over increasing 'sham marriages' with foreign women

Singapore authorities are concerned over the increase in sham marriages or marriages of convenience between Singaporean men and foreign women, which most of the time involves a syndicate and could lead to social problems. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has highlighted the concern and reported that "sham marriages" have increased to 32 cases between January and September last year compared to just four cases during the same period in 2023. A media report cited ICA as saying that arrests of people involved in "sham marriages" followed vigorous investigations into a suspected syndicate arranging such arrangements between Singaporean men getting paid for marrying foreign women. "Sham marriages" in Singapore often involve a foreign woman paying a Singaporean man money for a union to be arranged, so she can get a permit to stay or work here, reported The Straits Times on Sunday. A marriage of convenience is when two people tie the knot for the sole intention of acquiring

Singapore oil tycoon Lim Oon Kuin declared bankrupt after empire crash

The name of the founder of Hin Leong Trading Pte. and his children Lim Huey Ching and Lim Chee Meng were listed as having been issued a bankruptcy order on Dec. 19, the government gazette showed

Singapore pulls ahead of Hong Kong in race to become digital-assets hub

Singapore doled out 13 crypto licenses in 2024 to a range of crypto operators including top exchanges OKX and Upbit, as well as global heavyweights Anchorage, BitGo and GSR

Singapore Post fires CEO, senior executives after whistleblowing report

Three managers were dismissed for the violations, and a police report was filed against them

Singapore eyes 1.2 mn Indian tourists by Dec 31; growth to continue in 2025

In an interview with Business Standard, Markus Tan and Renjie Wong of Singapore Tourism Board discussed the surge in Indian tourists, future attractions, sustainability efforts, and travel trends

Indian community in Singapore celebrates Gukesh's historic chess victory

Newly crowned chess world champion D Gukesh was felicitated by the Indian community here on Saturday, marking his historic achievement of becoming the youngest ever to win the title in the sport's history. The 18-year-old claimed the world title by beating China's Ding Liren in Singapore on Thursday. The two faced each other in a fourteen-game classical chess match. At a reception organised by the Indian High Commission here, he was felicitated by about 150 members of the Indian disapora, led by High Commissioner Dr Shilpak Ambule. Speaking on the occasion, the envoy said, "It was a Gukesh win no matter what others say." Wishing the young champion many wins in his endeavour, Ambule said, "We are proud of Gukesh and the win." During the event, the world champion obliged all diaspora members with personal photos. We are proud of his win. It was very magical moment his calm and focussed approach won him the championship, said Shiwani Khirwal, President of BiJhar Singapore, a societ

Singapore to Kazakhstan: Top destinations Indians can explore in 2025

By 2024-end, the outbound tourism market is projected to reach $18.8 billion, with growth expected to climb to $55.4 billion by 2034

'Living my dream,' says Gukesh after becoming youngest world chess champion

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday congratulated D Gukesh for becoming the youngest player to win the world chess championship and said he has done India immensely proud

Nations should not take advantage of fissures in Syrian society: Singapore

Singapore's foreign ministry has said international powers should not take advantage of the fissures in Syrian society to pursue their own strategic objectives. "All parties must ensure the safety and well-being of Syrian civilians who have already suffered so much," the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that Singapore is closely monitoring developments in Syria. The complex situation in Syria can only be resolved definitively through an inclusive, Syrian-led political process as affirmed in the UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Any meaningful political solution must respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Syria, it said. Since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011, more than 3,00,000 Syrians have been killed and more than 13 million have been displaced with many seeking refuge in other countries. "We hope they can return safely to their homes when peace is restored," the ministry said. Given the current volatile situation, Singaporean

Singapore Disney Cruise 2025: Bookings open, prices start at Rs 65,000

The official Disney Cruise Line website lists pricing starting at $958 (Rs 80,877) for a three-night trip for two adults

Singapore High Commissioner Wong meets Odisha CM Majhi to discuss ties

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is expected to visit India in January, during which he will also visit Odisha

Chess Championship: Gukesh loses to Liren in 12th game; both tied at 6 pts

Indian challenger D Gukesh lost the 12th game against defending champion Ding Liren of China to allow his opponent bounce back and level the World Chess Championship match on six points each here on Monday. The 18-year-old Gukesh was ahead by one point after he notched his second win of the match on Sunday, which came after seven consecutive draws, but Liren's win on Monday brought the things on an even keel. The two players are now tied at 6 points each with just two games left in the 14-round classical format match, still shy of 1.5 points in order to win the title. If a tied result happens after 14 rounds, there will be games under faster time control to determine the winner. The remaining two games will be played on Wednesday and Thursday, after rest day on Tuesday. The 32-year-old Liren had won the opening game before Gukesh emerged victorious in the third game. The second, and the fourth to 10th games were drawn.

Paytm's Singapore unit to sell stake in Japan's PayPay for Rs 2,364 crore

The transaction is expected to close this month subject to approvals. The sale is expected to strengthen the parent company's cash reserves

Paytm arm to sell stock acquisition rights in Japan's PayPay for Rs 2.3K cr

Fintech firm and owner of Paytm brand One97 Communications' Singapore-based arm has approved the sale of its Stock Acquisition Rights in Japan's PayPay to Softbank Vision Fund 2 for Rs 2,364 crore, the company said in a regulatory filing on Saturday. Paytm and Paytm Singapore had signed an agreement with the Japanese digital wallet firm, Softbank Corp, Softbank Group Corp and Yahoo Japan Corporation to provide technology services to PayPay. In lieu of the services, Paytm Singapore had acquired Stock Acquisition Rights, convertible into 1,59,012 shares or a 7.2 per cent stake in PayPay on a fully diluted basis. "One97 Communications Singapore Private Limited has informed the company on December 06, 2024, at 12:49 pm (IST), that its Board of Directors at its meeting held on December 06, 2024, has approved the sale of all its Stock Acquisition Rights in PayPay Corporation, Japan, to SoftBank Vision Fund 2 entity for net proceeds of JPY 41.9 billion (equivalent to Rs 2,364 crore)," the

Paytm's wholly-owned Singapore unit approves stake sale in PayPay

The value of the deal is reportedly pegged at $250 million, although the company did not voluntarily disclose the deal size on the exchanges