Introduction

In a momentous occasion, Indian industrialist Tarun Das, aged 85, has been awarded honorary citizenship by Singapore, celebrating his remarkable contributions to strengthening the ties between Singapore and India over several decades. The prestigious award was presented by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during a ceremony in New Delhi on January 15.

Significance of the Award

This honor comes amid President Tharman's five-day visit to India, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations—a relationship that has grown exponentially over the years. As the former director-general of India's Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), where he served for over 40 years, Das played a pivotal role in initiating and nurturing connections between Singapore and India.

Contributions Recognized by Singapore

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted him as "one of Singapore’s strongest advocates in India", pointing out that his efforts extended beyond mere trade and economic interests, fostering a deeper understanding and closer interaction between the people of the two countries.

Mr. Das's Reflections

Reflecting on this significant recognition, Mr. Das expressed his emotional gratitude, describing the honorary citizenship as particularly special to him. Recalling his first delegation to Singapore in 1993 during India’s early steps toward economic liberalization, he spoke of the enthusiasm that then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong instilled in the group, aiming to spark an "India-Singapore fever."

Building Long-term Relations

This initial visit laid the groundwork for ongoing annual engagements where CII representatives would interface with Singaporean political leaders and businesses, catalyzing collaborations that have proven beneficial for both nations. "We have stayed firm with each other... there were lots of ups and downs. Sometimes the fever would go up, sometimes it would come down, but it was a great ride," Mr. Das remarked, demonstrating the dynamic nature of the relationship.

Key Partnerships

His connections with influential Singaporean leaders have been instrumental in this journey, including Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, a key figure in forging the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement signed in 2005. On the Indian front, the encouragement of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to "look east and work with Singapore" has been a consistent motivator.

Optimism for the Future

Looking towards the future, Mr. Das is optimistic, noting, "It’s been a great ride and the future will be even better because I see that the current leadership on both sides is determined to take the relationship forward."

Honorary Citizenship in Singapore

Established in 2003, Singapore’s honorary citizenship is the nation’s highest accolade for non-citizens, recognizing those who have made substantial contributions in various sectors, including business, science, and technology. This prestigious award further solidifies Mr. Das's legacy; he had already been honored with the Singapore Public Service Medal in 2004. Notably, he becomes the second Indian to receive this accolade after the late Ratan Tata, who was awarded in 2008 for his formidable advocacy and contributions to Singapore's economic evolution.

Conclusion

As the bond between Singapore and India continues to strengthen, one can only imagine the new heights this partnership will reach in the years to come!