Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lauded Singapore's founder and first premier Lee Kuan Yew as a "global thinker" and said India deeply valued his friendship and his support for its economic progress.
PM Modi, who arrived in Singapore this morning to attend the State Funeral Services of Lee, said he was "among the tallest leaders of our times".
91-year-old Lee died of severe pneumonia on March 23.
"He inspired not just Southeast Asia, but all of Asia, to believe in its own destiny," he said.
PM Modi underlined India's relations with Singapore, saying it "is one of our strongest relationships" in the world. "India's integration with Southeast Asia and beyond is growing. Singapore is a key pillar of India's Act East Policy," he said.
PM Modi also held two meetings with Singapore's Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shamugaratnam this morning, conveying his condolences to the Singapore leaders and people.
"I am visiting Singapore at a sad moment," said PM Modi.
"We deeply valued his friendship and his support for India's economic progress and global role," he said, adding Lee "believed in India's potential more than many of us did."
Lee's "vision is coming true. The seeds he sowed are bearing fruits today," said PM Modi, who had earlier visited Singapore as Gujarat Chief Minister in October 2006.
"Personally, he was a source of inspiration for me. His achievements and thoughts give me confidence in the possibility of India's own transformation," Modi said.
"I bring here today the condolences and prayers of the people of India," PM Modi added.
PM of Australia Mr. @TonyAbbottMHR, PM @narendramodi and former President of USA Mr. @billclinton in Singapore. pic.twitter.com/iVuceSjMnK
Lee's body has been lying in state in parliament's main lobby since Wednesday after he died on March 23.
The state funeral procession will cover a distance of 15.4 kms to the National University of Singapore, where a funeral service will be held from 2 pm.
Lee is widely credited with transforming Singapore from an impoverished third-world nation into an advanced first- world economy within just a generation, shaping the city-state's present status as a global financial and commercial hub.
WazirX’s Moratorium Appeal Gets Four Months' Time from Singapore Court, Here’s What it Means 4 Indian-Origin Men Charged For Abusing Cop In Singapore Singapore's Population Surges - Crosses 6 Million-Mark For 1st Time Ever Israel's New Strikes In Lebanon Minutes After Netanyahu's Speech At UN Video: Chinese Woman's Reaction To Indian Population In Canada Goes Viral Chandrababu Naidu vs Jagan Reddy Over Cancelled Tirupati Temple Visit Iran Embassy In Lebanon Warns Israel Strikes "Change Rules Of The Game" India Lifts Ban On Export Of Non-Basmati White Rice Hezbollah's Nasrallah: Powerful Leader Living In Hiding Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.