Singapore Confers Honorary Citizenship on Tarun Das

Singapore has awarded its highest honor for non-citizens, the Honorary Citizen Award, to Tarun Das, former Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in recognition of his significant contributions to strengthening Singapore-India relations.

A Legacy of Strengthening Bilateral Ties

Tarun Das has been instrumental in fostering robust economic and people-to-people connections between Singapore and India over several decades. In 1993, he led a delegation of Indian industrialists to Singapore, marking a pivotal moment in India’s “Look East” policy. This initiative laid the groundwork for annual visits by the CII Core Group to Singapore, facilitating continuous engagement between political leaders and businesses from both nations.

Pioneering Dialogues and Exchanges

Beyond trade and economics, Das played a crucial role in establishing the India-Singapore Strategic Dialogue, a platform that has convened business leaders, policymakers, and academics since its inception. The 15th edition of this dialogue was held in August 2024, underscoring its enduring significance. As Director of the Singapore-India Partnership Foundation, Das also championed youth and academic exchanges, including the inaugural Students Immersion Programme to India in 2023, involving students from the Singapore University of Social Sciences.

Recognition of a Distinguished Career

Das’s dedication to enhancing bilateral relations has been previously acknowledged; he received the Singapore Public Service Medal in 2004. The conferment of the Honorary Citizen Award by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam in New Delhi on January 15, 2025, further cements his legacy as a pivotal figure in Singapore-India relations. Expressing his gratitude, Das remarked, “I am deeply honoured and privileged to be selected by the Singapore Government to receive the Honorary Citizen Award. My journey with Singapore started 31 years ago and I have seen the ‘Singapore-India Fever’, reflecting a multi-faceted partnership, evolve and grow over the years. A source of great happiness for me.”

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