US VP Kamala Harris meets with Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong, reaffirms relations

This week, US Vice President Kamala Harris met with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, during the Singaporean leader’s visit to Washington. Harris and Lee discussed the continued partnership between the two countries while reaffirming relations.

Lee met with Harris in Washington during the Singaporean leader’s visit to the capital Tuesday, where they discussed the progress both countries have made since their last meeting. Harris previously met with Lee back in August during her visit to Singapore and both agreed to strengthen relations between the two countries.

During Lee’s three-day visit to Washington, it was announced that a bilateral cyber dialogue would be established for both countries to work together on protecting critical infrastructure, data security, and sharing the best practices in support of a rules-based multilateral order in cyberspace.

Both countries have also agreed to strengthen cooperation in developing infrastructure while expanding towards developing green and sustainable projects in the region.

Singapore also signed the Artemis Accords as the 18th country overall and the first Southeast Asian country to join the US-led international agreement that aims to promote the peaceful, beneficial, and sustainable use of space.

“We are the first Southeast Asian country to sign on and we had a good discussion about this because the Vice President chairs the White House National Space Council,” said Lee in his remarks at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

Harris said that Southeast Asia is now represented in the pact in her remarks.

“Singapore being the first Southeast Asian nation to recognize what we can do together to expand international norms as it relates to all matters, including matters in space,” said Harris.

Meanwhile, Harris will be joining a group including leaders of corporate giants Wednesday to promote the $4.7 billion pledge to boost businesses owned by minorities in Washington DC and its surrounding areas. The vice president will be speaking at Howard University where the pledge would be unveiled by nonprofit civic alliance Greater Washington Partnership.

The funds from the pledge will go to businesses and communities in the area including Washington DC, Richmond, and Baltimore. Harris will also be joined by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Small Business Administrator Isabel Guzman.