Tarun Das, former Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has been conferred the prestigious Honorary Citizen Award by Singapore for his exceptional contributions to strengthening ties between Singapore and India. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam presented the honor during a ceremony in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The Honorary Citizen Award is the highest recognition Singapore offers to non-citizens for significant contributions to the nation’s growth in fields such as business, science, education, culture, and more. Das, a key advocate for Singapore in India, played an instrumental role in fostering Singapore-India relations for over three decades.
In 1993, Das led a delegation of Indian industrialists to Singapore under India’s “Look East” policy, setting the foundation for initiatives like the annual CII Core Group visits and the India-Singapore Strategic Dialogue (ISSD). These efforts deepened economic and cultural ties, showcasing his commitment to multi-faceted cooperation.
Expressing gratitude, Das said, “This recognition reflects a 31-year journey marked by the evolution of the Singapore-India partnership. It brings me immense happiness.”
Beyond economics, Das championed stronger people-to-people connections, particularly through his role as Director of the Singapore-India Partnership Foundation (SIPF). His efforts included youth and academic exchange programs like the SIPF Students Immersion Programme, launched in 2023, which hosted students from the Singapore University of Social Sciences in India.
Das’s legacy also includes his work in establishing the ISSD, a vital platform for business leaders, policymakers, and academics to discuss enhancing bilateral relations. He served CII for over 40 years and is a founding trustee of the Ananta Centre and the Ananta Aspen Centre.
Previously, in 2004, Das received the Singapore Public Service Medal for his contributions to bilateral ties. The Honorary Citizen Award further cements his status as a visionary leader who enriched the Singapore-India partnership.
