The legacy of Lee Kuan Yew, the founder and longtime leader of modern Singapore who died on Monday, is often framed as a lesson in nation-building and global statecraft. In the Los Angeles Times, Harvard’s Graham Allison recalls that every Chinese leader since the death of Mao has cited Lee as a mentor; Lee’s brand of “authoritarian capitalism” is often invoked with reference to Narendra Modi or Vladimir Putin.

Thousands of Singaporeans braved torrential rains on Sunday for a final farewell to the country’s founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, whose funeral drew a long list of leaders and dignitaries from across the globe.

The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth said it is important to celebrate Singapore’s heritage and culture, adding that the idea of a “distinctive Singaporean culture” is still relatively new and evolving.

To leverage more on Singapore's soft power assets, NMP Tan Tai Yong suggested expanding cultural exchange opportunities for youth to forge friendships abroad, while regional heritage bodies could work together to showcase the connectedness of the region before colonization.

Overseas participants at the ongoing New Delhi World Book Fair are seeking to turn a new page beyond conventional agenda of strengthening business ties with India and striving to enhance cultural relations.