Celebrating 50 Years of cultural ties between Singapore and India

Your Excellency Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge)

Mr Ong Yew Huat, Chairman of the National Heritage Board

High Commissioner 

Excellencies, distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen 

1. It's a pleasure to be here to open this special exhibition of treasures from Asia's oldest museum.

2. I would especially like to extend a warm welcome to our special guest, Minister of State Dr Mahesh Sharma, who has come all the way from India to visit Singapore and to be here this morning. I met with Dr Sharma earlier this year when I was in India with the President and he welcomed us very warmly. We're very happy to have this opportunity now to reciprocate his warm hospitality and to have him join us for this opening.

3. Today's exhibition is taking place at a special time in our relationship. Firstly, it's Singapore's 50th year of independence this year, and it is also the 50th year of Singapore-India diplomatic relations. It goes to show the long-standing relationship that Singapore and India enjoy since the birth of Singapore as an independent and sovereign nation.

4. But our ties go back much further than 1965, and they span many centuries. Just outside this museum you will see the Dalhousie obelisk – this was erected in 1850 to commemorate the visit to Singapore by the Marquis of Dalhousie, the British viceroy of India, who resided in Kolkata (then the capital of India). The occasion was critical in recognising Singapore's status as a port city under British rule, through the government of India. The Singapore Stone also connects Kolkata with Singapore. The ancient stone marker sat at the mouth of the Singapore River, which is next to this building. When it was blown up in 1843 to widen the passage, the inscribed fragments were sent to the Indian Museum in Kolkata for research. In 1918, a large piece was returned to the Raffles Museum, and the National Museum of Singapore now displays it. 

5. Building on these firm foundations, I am confident that we can continue to strengthen the relationship between Singapore and India over the next 50 years and beyond. We've had a fruitful year of cultural collaboration so far. In February, I visited New Delhi on President Tony Tan's State Visit to India and witnessed the launch of the “Peranakan World” exhibition at the National Museum, New Delhi. That month, Singapore was also the Guest of Honour country at the New Delhi World Book Fair. In Singapore, we recently opened the new Indian Heritage Centre in Little India, and in it there are four bronze busts of prominent Indian leaders. I thank the Government of India for these wonderful gifts. India has also been celebrating a year-long “Festival of India” in Singapore since August last year, which has brought many cultural performances and activities to Singapore shores.  

6. That brings us to the exhibition that we are delighted to launch today. The Indian Museum of Kolkata was established in 1814, more than 200 years ago. It is the oldest museum in Asia, and has one of the most distinguished collections of Indian art anywhere. This exhibition took two years to come to fruition, and features a remarkable collection of Buddhist art. I understand it previously appeared at the Shanghai Museum and the Tokyo National Museum. We are greatly honoured that the museum and the Government of India have sponsored this exhibition to Singapore. 

7. Altogether, these are significant gifts from India and we warmly appreciate this generosity. On behalf of the people of Singapore, and in particular to the India Ministry of Culture, the Indian High Commission and the Indian Museum, Kolkata – Thank you!

8. I look forward to more years of working together to build a vibrant cultural relationship for India and Singapore.