The Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, completed a successful official visit to Singapore on 17th and 18th June, 2015 to promote cultural ties between the two countries. During the visit, Dr. Mahesh Sharma inaugurated the Buddhist Art Exhibition titled “Treasures from Asia's Oldest Museum: Buddhist Art from the Indian Museum, Kolkata”at the Asian Civilisations Museum on June18, 2015 along with the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth of Singapore, Mr. Lawrence Wong. The exhibition comprises of a collection of priceless artefacts which depict the life of Buddha. The 2-month-long Exhibition is being held as part of the ‘Year of India in Singapore’ - a series of commemorative events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Singapore.
Dr. Mahesh Sharma also held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Lawrence Wong. Both sides reaffirmed the long-standing and close ties between India and Singapore and appreciated the celebrations undertaken by both sides to commemorate the 50thanniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The Ministers discussed bilateral cultural cooperation as well as tourism and people-to-people exchanges. Dr Mahesh Sharma also met with the Minister in Prime Minister’s Office and second Minister for Home Affairs and second Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore, Mr S. Iswaran. They discussed the close cooperation between India and Singapore in various fields, including civil aviation, tourism and culture.
Dr. Mahesh Sharma visited the newly set-up Indian Heritage Centre in Singapore which has on display in its Gallery four busts gifted by the Government of India of national leaders – Mahatma Gandhi, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, and Pt. JawaharLal Nehru. The Minister also undertook a tour of the Sentosa Island, one of the main tourist attractions in Singapore.