Latest news with #NikeshMehta
CNA
7 hours ago
- General
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - AI, Green Finance, and Cybersecurity are emerging areas to focus on for UK-Singapore collaboration
CNA938 Rewind British Navy's HMS Prince of Wales has made history as the first warship to dock at Marina Bay. The aircraft carrier comes as Singapore and the UK mark 60 years of diplomatic ties. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak with the British High Commissioner to Singapore, Nikesh Mehta.
The Star
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
UK aircraft carrier docks at Marina Bay Cruise Centre
SINGAPORE: British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, one of the largest warships in the world, has docked at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre. The carrier, whose flight deck is large enough to fit three football pitches, is making its first formal port call in the region at the head of a group of ships on a multi-nation, UK-led deployment. While docked in Singapore, the warship will play host to some 8,000 members of the public who balloted for free tickets earlier in the year, as well as a series of activities. This includes a defence and security industry day, where some 30 UK businesses will hold an expo in the carrier's hanger, as well as a science and technology symposium where experts from both countries will discuss technological developments. The carrier will also host panel discussions on defence and security, and a friendly e-sports tournament between UK and Singapore soldiers. The arrival of the HMS Prince of Wales is a critical demonstration of the UK's commitment to the Indo-Pacific, said British High Commissioner Nikesh Mehta. The visit comes amid a tumultuous global environment, where there is a 'need to demonstrate the importance of stability around the world, stability in the Indo-Pacific, and stability in the Euro-Atlantic', Mehta said at a media briefing on June 19 ahead of the carrier's arrival. Britain's position is that stability in the Indo-Pacific and in the Euro-Atlantic are indivisible, he added. 'You can't have one without the other, and that's why the carrier strike group coming to this part of the world is so important.' The aircraft carrier is the flagship of the UK carrier strike group, which includes several other UK Royal Navy vessels, as well as ships from Canada, Norway and Spain, amongst others. Its visit to Singapore is part of an eight month deployment called Operation Highmast that departed from the UK in April, with the ships sailing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Its route has included the Mediterranean, and along the way the group has conducted joint exercises, such as with the Indian Navy. The HMS Prince of Wales is one of two aircraft carriers currently operated by UK Navy – two of the largest ever built for the service, with a displacement of 65,000 tonnes and measuring 284m in length. It can carry up to 1,600 soldiers and 36 advanced F-35B fighter jets and four Merlin Helicopters. Its sister ship, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, visited Singapore in 2021, as part of the deployment of the UK's first carrier strike group. Besides Singapore, the HMS Prince of Wales is set to visit several other ports in the region including Indonesia, Japan and South Korea, and will take part in several joint exercises, including with the Singapore Armed Forces. In July, the carrier is set to join Exercise Talisman Sabre, an Australia-led exercise involving the US and other regional militaries. On its way back to home waters in September, it will participate in the Five Power Defence Arrangements' (FDPA) signature annual exercise, Bersama Lima. The FPDA consists of the Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK, and was established in 1971 when the British left the city state. The last time a UK aircraft carrier joined the FPDA's drills was in 1997, when HMS Invincible participated in Exercise Flying Fish, the first time the grouping conducted a combined maritime and air exercise. Head of the British Defence Staff for South-East Asia Colonel Eddie Maskell-Pedersen said HMS Prince of Wales' visit to Marina Bay is the latest in a series of security exchanges between the UK and Singapore this year. There have been reciprocal visits from senior military leadership on both sides, and in May Singapore frigate RSS Formidable docked in London's Canary Wharf, he noted. '(This) provides a clear statement of the importance of the relationship between the UK and Singapore: the partnership we have had, we are moving towards, and hopefully the momentum we would like to continue as partners for the future,' he said on June 19. In response to a question on the carrier's agenda and the UK's security involvement in the region, Col Maskell-Pederson, who is also the UK's defence advisor to Singapore, said Britain is not new to South-east Asia or to exercising in it. 'That's why our contribution, our commitment to FPDA since 1971 for 54 years now, is so important,' he said. 'And that's why the carrier strike group, and elements thereof, will participate in Exercise Bersama Lima because it's an important relationship. It's an important partnership that we are part of, and we want to continue to be committed to that.' At the same briefing, UK Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific Martin Kent said the visit highlights the UK's commitment to building 'mutual prosperity and security in this region'. The UK is working with partners in the Indo-Pacific to promote and protect the international rules-based order, he added. He said: 'With defence and security exports to the Asia Pacific region worth over 2.1 billion pounds ($3.6 million) in 2023 our commitment to this region is both substantial and enduring.' Mehta, the ambassador, said the carrier's arrival is a 'vital cog' in a 'momentous' year for Singapore-UK relations. The two countries are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations, which the visit also commemorates. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
UK aircraft carrier docks at Marina Bay Cruise Centre in first formal port call in the region
People watch as Britain's HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier arrives at Marina Bay Cruise Centre on June 23. PHOTO: REUTERS A F-35 aircraft is parked onboard Britain's HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier as it arrives at Marina Bay Cruise Centre on June 23. PHOTO: REUTERS A military band performs as Britain's HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier arrives at Marina Bay Cruise Centre on June 23. PHOTO: REUTERS UK aircraft carrier docks at Marina Bay Cruise Centre in first formal port call in the region SINGAPORE - British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, one of the largest warships in the world, has docked at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre. The carrier, whose flight deck is large enough to fit three football pitches, is making its first formal port call in the region at the head of a group of ships on a multi-nation, UK-led deployment. While docked in Singapore, the warship will play host to some 8,000 members of the public who balloted for free tickets earlier in the year, as well as a series of activities. This includes a defence and security industry day, where some 30 UK businesses will hold an expo in the carrier's hanger, as well as a science and technology symposium where experts from both countries will discuss technological developments. The carrier will also host panel discussions on defence and security, and a friendly e-sports tournament between UK and Singapore soldiers. The arrival of the HMS Prince of Wales is a critical demonstration of the UK's commitment to the Indo-Pacific, said British High Commissioner Nikesh Mehta. The visit comes amid a tumultuous global environment, where there is a 'need to demonstrate the importance of stability around the world, stability in the Indo-Pacific, and stability in the Euro-Atlantic', Mr Mehta said at a media briefing on June 19 ahead of the carrier's arrival. Britain's position is that stability in the Indo-Pacific and in the Euro-Atlantic are indivisible, he added. 'You can't have one without the other, and that's why the carrier strike group coming to this part of the world is so important.' The aircraft carrier is the flagship of the UK carrier strike group, which includes several other UK Royal Navy vessels, as well as ships from Canada, Norway and Spain, amongst others. Its visit to Singapore is part of an eight month deployment called Operation Highmast that departed from the UK in April, with the ships sailing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Its route has included the Mediterranean, and along the way the group has conducted joint exercises, such as with the Indian Navy. The HMS Prince of Wales is one of two aircraft carriers currently operated by UK Navy – two of the largest ever built for the service, with a displacement of 65,000 tonnes and measuring 284m in length. It can carry up to 1,600 soldiers and 36 advanced F-35B fighter jets and four Merlin Helicopters. Its sister ship, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, visited Singapore in 2021, as part of the deployment of the UK's first carrier strike group. A F-35 aircraft is parked onboard Britain's HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier as it arrives at Marina Bay Cruise Centre on June 23. PHOTO: REUTERS Visit marks 'momentous' year for Singapore-UK relations: ambassador Besides Singapore, the HMS Prince of Wales is set to visit several other ports in the region including Indonesia, Japan and South Korea, and will take part in several joint exercises, including with the Singapore Armed Forces. In July, the carrier is set to join Exercise Talisman Sabre, an Australia-led exercise involving the US and other regional militaries. On its way back to home waters in September, it will participate in the Five Power Defence Arrangements' (FDPA) signature annual exercise, Bersama Lima. The FPDA consists of the Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK, and was established in 1971 when the British left the city state. The last time a UK aircraft carrier joined the FPDA's drills was in 1997, when HMS Invincible participated in Exercise Flying Fish, the first time the grouping conducted a combined maritime and air exercise. Head of the British Defence Staff for South-east Asia Colonel Eddie Maskell-Pedersen said HMS Prince of Wales' visit to Marina Bay is the latest in a series of security exchanges between the UK and Singapore this year. There have been reciprocal visits from senior military leadership on both sides, and in May Singapore frigate RSS Formidable docked in London's Canary Wharf, he noted. '(This) provides a clear statement of the importance of the relationship between the UK and Singapore: the partnership we have had, we are moving towards, and hopefully the momentum we would like to continue as partners for the future,' he said on June 19. In response to a question on the carrier's agenda and the UK's security involvement in the region, Col Maskell-Pederson, who is also the UK's defence advisor to Singapore, said Britain is not new to South-east Asia or to exercising in it. 'That's why our contribution, our commitment to FPDA since 1971 for 54 years now, is so important,' he said. 'And that's why the carrier strike group, and elements thereof, will participate in Exercise Bersama Lima because it's an important relationship. It's an important partnership that we are part of, and we want to continue to be committed to that.' A military band performs as Britain's HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier arrives at Marina Bay Cruise Centre on June 23. PHOTO: REUTERS At the same briefing, UK Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific Martin Kent said the visit highlights the UK's commitment to building 'mutual prosperity and security in this region'. The UK is working with partners in the Indo-Pacific to promote and protect the international rules-based order, he added. He said: 'With defense and security exports to the Asia Pacific region worth over 2.1 billion pounds ($3.6 million) in 2023 our commitment to this region is both substantial and enduring.' Mr Mehta, the ambassador, said the carrier's arrival is a 'vital cog' in a 'momentous' year for Singapore-UK relations. The two countries are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations, which the visit also commemorates. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
So much for the Great British Banger
Disappointment among British expats in Singapore where guests at the High Commissioner's splendid residence, Eden Hall, are no longer served meat dishes at parties and dinners. High Commissioner Nikesh Mehta, who took up his post last year, is a vegetarian. My source in the linen suit tells me that this decision is 'much to the displeasure of freeloading' Brits used to a 'wonderful supply of cocktail sausages specially prepared by a local butcher and fish and chips from Smiths – the famous Singapore chippy. These delicacies are 'all now banned! So much for the Great British Banger!' A Foreign Office source confirms: 'The High Commissioner's residence serves vegetarian-only food'. They'll be banning Singapore Slings next. The last hours of debate in the Commons before recess are normally given over to the 'Easter Adjournment'. Not so last Tuesday when the order paper said there would be a 'General Debate: Matters to be raised before the forthcoming adjournment', with no mention of Easter at all. Andrew Rosindell, Tory MP for Romford, told MPs he was 'perturbed', adding: 'The Easter Adjournment debate was always a significant occasion, marking the fact that Easter is the holiest time of year for Christians.' Fellow Tory MP Bob Blackman agreed to restore Easter to the title of the debate. But without vigilant MPs like Rosindell and Blackman, who else will stop woke efforts to erase Easter? Comedian Shazia Mirza, met Elizabeth II, the late Queen, three times, and spoke at length with her. 'It was like chatting to an old woman at a bus stop,' she told the Guess Who's Coming to Dinner podcast. Explaining she was a comedian, the Queen replied: 'What a fascinating way to describe yourself. And where do you do that?' Mirza told the Queen about her next gig at gay venue the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, in London. 'There's tickets available, do you want to come?' she offered, saying that she appeared on BBC and ITV. 'Do you watch TV?' Mirza asked. The Queen replied: 'Yes, I watch Coronation Street.' Pop star turned celebrity vicar, Richard Coles, 63, is feeling his age. He says: 'I'm knackered. My knees are knackered, I'm fat. It was my birthday on March 26 and I bought myself Ozempic as a birthday present.' He tells the Mid-Point podcast: 'I think I'm 28 really, and then I look in the mirror and I see my grandfather looking back at me. My favourite age to be was 38... and I'd be very happy to be 38 for a good long stretch. I'm not that, but I'm really enjoying my 60s.' Boris Johnson remembers his time as London mayor more fondly than his reign in No 10, because there were no pesky Tory MPs who could bring him down. He was overheard at a Saudi event saying: 'I was very lucky when I was mayor of London because it was a bit like being a sheikh... I was in charge, I was a monarch – nobody could challenge me.' Former BBC colleagues Rory Cellan-Jones, Mark Mardell and Jeremy Paxman have joined forces with ex-judge Sir Nicholas Mostyn and Vicar of Dibley writer Paul Mayhew-Archer – who all have Parkinson's disease – to push for better treatment for fellow sufferers on their Movers and Shakers podcast. Mayhew-Archer uses humour to lift the mood, Cellan-Jones told me on GB News's Chopper's Political Podcast: 'He was saying to me the other day that there is concern that one of the dangers of Parkinson's is you could be encouraged to take your own life. But luckily, he said, another symptom of Parkinson's is apathy.' Concern this week when Radio 3 presenter Georgia Mann played a 1996 recording of Henry Wood's Fantasia on British Sea Songs without Rule, Britannia! as the finale. The BBC apologised when I got in touch, and said the rousing song was included as a separate track, but had mistakenly not been uploaded. But after Katie Derham, presenter of Last Night of the Proms, said the lyrics to Rule, Britannia! were 'incredibly problematic' just seven months ago, it felt like a worrying sign of things to come. Thanks to the dozens of readers who pointed out that Salisbury cathedral is not in Somerset. It was a production error in last week's column, not a late April Fool. Former Tory MP for North East Somerset Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg got in touch to say he was tickled 'by our expansion, it is a beautiful cathedral'. He explained: 'I am delighted to see that Somerset has conquered Wiltshire. If it hadn't been for us, in 878 Wiltshire would have been Danish anyway.' Peterborough, published every Friday at 7pm, is edited by Christopher Hope. You can reach him at peterborough@ Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
