Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described Singapore’s founder prime minister Lee Kuan Yew as “among the tallest leaders of our times”.
Mr. Modi arrived in Singapore early on Sunday to join a host of world leaders for the funeral of Lee, who died at the age of 91 on Monday after a long battle with pneumonia.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The passing away of Lee Kuan Yew marks the end of an era.He was among the tallest leaders of our times,” Mr. Modi said addressing the media.
“He was a global thinker, who saw things ahead of others. He was an advocate of economic progress, but also made tireless efforts to advance peace and stability in our region,” he said.
“In India, we deeply valued his friendship and his support for the country’s economic progress and global role.”
Stating that Lee believed in India’s potential “more than many of us did”, Mr. Modi said: “India’s relations with Singapore is one of our strongest relationships in the world and Singapore is a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy.”
“Personally, he was a source of inspiration for me. His achievements and thoughts give me confidence in the possibility of India’s own transformation,” the Prime Minister said.
“The people of India share this nation’s grief over the loss of its founding father and leader. We are observing a day of public mourning in India today in honour of the departed leader and the deep bonds of friendship that we share with Singapore.”
Lee Kuan Yew
Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, often described as the "shrewdest politician of the region," was the head of Singapore's Government since 1959. Here is a profile of Mr. Lee published in The Hindu on May 16, 1969. > Read more
>‘Lee Kuan Yew didn’t dislike India, he was disappointed by India’Factfile
- ›September 16, 1923: Lee Kuan Yew is born in Singapore as a British subject.
- ›1942-1945: Worked as transcriber of Allied wire reports under Japanese occupation of Singapore.
- › Studied law at Cambridge University, graduated with double First Class Honours.
- ›1949: Returned to Singapore with firm belief in self-governance.
- › When the People's Action Party was formed in 1954, he became its Secretary-General.
- › He has been the head of Singapore's Government since 1959, through three general elections.
- › Mr. Yew had visited India three times.
- › Lee Kuan Yew's quotes: “First, to understand Singapore, you've got to start off with an improbable story. It should not exist . . . We haven't got the base, the space, the wherewithal.”
- › "Suddenly, we're on our own. ... It's one thing running Hong Kong under British or Chinese protection; it's another matter governing tiny Singapore." (1965)
- › "If there were no international law and order, and big fish eat small fish and small fish eat shrimps, we wouldn’t exist.”
ADVERTISEMENT