Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was recently invited to the G20 Summit in India, and his entrance at the summit was also covered by Indian English news outlet, India Today, on their YouTube channel.
However, they made a significant mistake by referring to Singapore President-elect Tharman Shanmugaratnam as the “next Prime Minister” of Singapore, instead of Lawrence Wong who is the correct person.
India Today also emphasized Tharman’s “Indian origin”, when he is actually a 4th-generation Singaporean.
The Confusion: President or Prime Minister?
First, it’s crucial to clarify the position of Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Contrary to India Today’s assertion, he is not the next Prime Minister of Singapore. In fact, he recently won the presidential election on September 1st, making him the next President of Singapore.
The confusion surrounding Mr. Tharman’s designation as the “next Prime Minister” remains puzzling, especially since he was not even present at the G20 Summit. It raises questions about how such an error could occur during a high-profile international event.
During the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had several diplomatic engagements. He congratulated India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on hosting a successful summit, showcasing Singapore’s commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic relations with India and other nations.
The mistake made by India Today’s YouTube channel didn’t go unnoticed. A netizen posted the gaffe online on 10 September and it quickly gained traction online and sparking discussions.
Reactions to India Today’s blunder were varied. While some were critical of the mistake, many seemed more focused on PM Lee’s charismatic presence. Some even playfully suggested that his walk had a “model vibe” and could rival that of supermodels.
Diplomatic Engagements
During the G20 Summit, PM Lee had the opportunity to meet various world leaders. In addition to his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he also engaged with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
PM Lee’s meeting with UK PM Rishi Sunak resulted in a Joint Declaration to elevate bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership. He described this as a “new era” for both sides, emphasizing cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, science, technology, sustainability, and the green economy.; as well as welcoming UK’s Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
PM Lee’s post about the summit on Facebook
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Source: India Today YouTube