On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged Singaporean business leaders to explore investment opportunities in India, particularly in aviation, energy, and skill development sectors. Speaking to a group of prominent CEOs from various industries, Modi highlighted India’s transformative progress over the past decade and its continued growth trajectory, driven by political stability, policy predictability, and an economic reform agenda.
Modi projected that India would soon become the world’s third-largest economy, underscoring the need for over 100 new airports and additional airlines to accommodate rising domestic traffic. "India’s aviation market is the fastest-growing in the world... the entire sky is open," he remarked, urging investment in this sector.
He also discussed potential investment opportunities related to the scrapping of old government vehicles, emphasizing that even such initiatives present significant business prospects.
Notable attendees included Lim Boon Heng (Chairman, Temasek Holdings), Lim Chow Kiat (CEO, GIC Private Limited), Goh Choon Phong (CEO, Singapore Airlines), Yam Kum Weng (CEO, Changi Airport Group), Yuen Kuan Moon (CEO, SingTel), and Piyush Gupta (CEO and Director, DBS Group). Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam also participated in the roundtable.
Modi recognized the contributions of Singaporean business leaders in enhancing bilateral relations and announced the establishment of an INVEST INDIA office in Singapore to facilitate further collaboration. He also noted that the elevation of India-Singapore relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership would significantly boost economic ties.
Highlighting India's role in global economic growth and its skilled workforce, Modi pointed to initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive scheme, the India Semiconductor Mission, and the creation of 12 new Industrial Smart Cities as key areas for investment. He also invited business leaders to explore opportunities in skill development and resilient supply chains.
In a post on 'X', Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, reported that the CEOs expressed strong support for "Modi 3.0" and pledged to double their investments in India over the next three years, reflecting confidence in India’s growth story.