Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today assured his visiting Singapore counterpart that India is committed to reinforce its status as an investment friendly country. Addressing a Joint conference after holding bilateral talks at the Hyderabad house in New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh welcomed investments from Singapore. Dr. Singh expressed the hope that Singapore companies would look at India as a valued investment destination. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, Singapore is India's foremost trading partner in ASEAN and also a major source of FDI inflows into India.

After the comprehensive and fruitful discussions on international, regional and bilateral issues between the two Prime Ministers, India and Singapore also inked three pacts, including one in the field of defence and security. Memorandum of Understandings were also signed for increased cooperation in areas of education, vocational training, labour and skill development. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, both countries have agreed to step up bilateral cooperation and exchanges in the fields of defence and security. He said they have also decided to expedite the conclusion of the ongoing second review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement to enhance trade goods and services and investment.

Dr. Singh said, Singapore and India share values of democracy, pluralism and secularism and this gives both countries convergent perspectives on many regional and international development.

Singapore Prime Minister Li Hsien Loong said, a World class skill development Centre will be set up in New Delhi with collaboration of both countries. He said, 15,000 students will be trained in various aspects of production and management. He said, both countries also reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful and harmonious world.