Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his Singaporean counterpart Ng Eng Hen discussed cooperation on maritime security and counterterrorism activities as the U.S. and Singapore work to advance diplomatic relations, DoD News reported Friday.Lisa Ferdinando writes Carter said during a visit to the Asian country early this month that both nations stand for cooperation, inclusiveness and principle to drive international affairs in line with the U.S. rebalance efforts in the region.
Carter noted Singapore helps maintain regional maritime security and hosts U.S. P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft and littoral combat ships as well as more than 100 U.S. Navy ships and more than 800 U.S. aircraft that pass through the country annually.
The U.S. formally opened diplomatic ties with Singapore a year after the Asian country broke away from Malaysia in 1965, the report said.
