The Hindu : Nehru award for Goh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 28, 2003

International

International - India & World

Nehru award for Goh

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE Aug. 27. The Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding is being conferred on the Singapore Prime Minister, Goh Chok Tong. The visiting External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, said here on Tuesday that "it was Prime Minister Goh who started the `India fever' back in 1992 when India first embarked on its economic liberalisation programme''.

Mr. Goh has been chosen "in recognition of his outstanding role'' and for his "vision and leadership'' in bringing India closer to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The current indication is that the presentation of the award might take place during Mr. Goh's possible visit to India in connection with the signing of a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) on the bilateral front.

According to the Singapore authorities, Mr. Goh and Mr. Sinha noted, during their talks here on Tuesday that the CECA negotiations were "proceeding well'' and that the bilateral relations were "excellent''. Regional and strategic issues and terrorism were also discussed.

Mr. Sinha and the Singapore Foreign Minister, S. Jayakumar, held an "in-depth discussion on ways to further strengthen ties''. Prof. Jayakumar said later that they explored the "broader catalytic effect'' of CECA, now being fashioned, on the deepening of India's engagement with the ASEAN. Mr. Sinha noted that the two countries had now agreed to set up a joint working group on counter-terrorism.

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Nehru award for Goh