Minister for Defence and US Congressional Delegation Reaffirm Close Bilateral Defence Relationship

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) hosted a tea session for the United States congressional delegation led by Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Indo-Pacific Subcommittee Representative Young Oak Kim (R-California) (left) this afternoon.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen met with a United States (US) congressional delegation, led by Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Indo-Pacific Subcommittee Representative Young Oak Kim (R-California), during a tea session this afternoon. The congressional delegation also included Representative Kathy Manning (D-North Carolina), Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Representative Debbie Lesko (R-Arizona), and Representative Jonathan Jackson (D-Illinois).

During the session, Dr Ng reaffirmed the close bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and the US, and expressed our appreciation for Congress' strong support for the SAF's overseas training and technology access in the US. The Congressional delegation expressed gratitude for Singapore's long-standing support for the US' presence in the region. Both sides also discussed the regional geopolitical outlook, and the US' foreign policy approach to the region.

The congressional delegation is visiting Singapore on 22 January 2024. As part of the visit, the congressional delegation also called on Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, as well as Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Gan Kim Yong.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (center) and Permanent Secretary (Defence) Chan Heng Kee (far right) with the United States congressional delegation. Not in picture: Debbie Lesko (R-Arizona).