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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong and discussed bilateral ties. Mr. Modi, who arrived in Singapore on Thursday on a three-day visit, also called on Singapore President Halimah Yacob.
Delivering the keynote address at the Shangri La Dialogue, Mr. Modi said: "Our vision stands for a free, open, inclusive region, which embraces us all in a common pursuit of progress and prosperity. It includes all nations in this geography as also others beyond who have a stake in it. Southeast Asia is at its centre. And ASEAN has been and will be central to its future. That is the vision that will always guide India, as we seek to cooperate for architecture for peace and security in this region. We believe that our common prosperity and security require us to evolve, through dialogue, a common rules-based order for the region. And, it must equally apply to all individually as well as to the global commons. We should all be equally permitted to benefit from the use of common spaces on sea and in the air without discrimination. When we all agree to live by that code, our sea lanes well be pathways to prosperity and corridors of peace. We well also be able to come together to prevent maritime crimes, preserve marine ecology, protect against disasters and prosper from blue economy. Solutions cannot be found behind walls of protection, but in embracing change. What we seek is a level playing field for all. India stands for open and stable international trade regime. We will also support rule-based, open balanced and stable trade environment in the Indo-pacific Region, which lifts up all nations on the tide of trade and investment.
"Competition is normal. But, contests must not turn into conflict; differences must not be allowed to become disputes. When we can work together, we will be able to meet the real challenges of our times. We will be able to ensure non-proliferation. We will be able to secure our people from terrorism and cyber threats.