ALMATY, Kazakhstan — Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong may be on an important diplomatic mission in Central Asia, but a lighter moment from his trip is now catching attention: Singapore’s former prime minister holding a five-kilogram eagle and trying his hand at traditional archery.
A video shared during his visit showed SM Lee dressed in traditional Kazakh attire as he experienced local culture in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city. With the eagle perched on his arm, he asked its handler how much the bird weighed. The answer: five kilogrammes — prompting a visibly impressed Lee to react, “Wow!”
The relaxed scenes offered a glimpse of the human side of a trip that has otherwise been packed with high-level meetings and diplomatic engagements.
A Viral Moment During a Major Diplomatic Mission
Lee’s visit to Kazakhstan is not simply a sightseeing trip. It is part of his first official visit to Central Asia, which includes Kazakhstan from Aug 24 to 27 and Uzbekistan from Aug 27 to 31. His itinerary includes stops in Astana and Almaty before continuing to Tashkent and Samarkand.
In Kazakhstan, SM Lee met President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, while discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in areas including the economy, connectivity, artificial intelligence and digitalisation.
The trip also produced concrete outcomes. Singapore and Kazakhstan witnessed agreements covering water resources cooperation and digital trade integration, while officials from both countries are also planning further cooperation in AI, digital development and STEM training.
One of Kazakhstan’s Highest Honours
On Aug 26, SM Lee was awarded Kazakhstan’s Order of Dostyk (Friendship) of the First Class, one of the country’s highest state honours, in recognition of his contributions to strengthening cooperation between Singapore and Kazakhstan.
In his speech, Lee said the award represented the efforts of many Singaporeans and Kazakhs who have helped bring the two countries closer over the past three decades.
The relationship has deep roots. Singapore and Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations in 1993, while Lee Kuan Yew had visited Kazakhstan shortly before the Central Asian nation gained independence in 1991.
Today, the relationship is expanding beyond traditional economic ties into areas such as water management, digital development, science and research.
Singapore Looks Beyond Southeast Asia
One of the biggest takeaways from Lee’s Kazakhstan visit is Singapore’s growing interest in building stronger links between Southeast Asia and Central Asia.
As Singapore prepares to chair ASEAN in 2027, Lee said there is an opportunity to deepen engagement with partners beyond the region’s traditional networks. Potential areas of cooperation include transport, connectivity, energy and sustainable development.
Lee described Singapore as a potential gateway for Kazakhstan and Central Asian businesses looking towards Southeast Asia, while Kazakhstan could serve as a bridge for Singapore businesses seeking opportunities in Central Asia and the wider Eurasian region.
From Diplomacy to Archery — A Memorable Stop in Almaty
Against the backdrop of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, SM Lee’s encounter with the eagle and his attempt at archery gave the public a more informal look at a high-profile diplomatic trip.
He also met Almaty Mayor Darkhan Satybaldy and business leaders, discussing how Singapore and Kazakhstan can exchange experiences and deepen economic ties.
For many Singaporeans, the image of SM Lee calmly holding a powerful eagle may be the most memorable moment from the trip so far. But behind the viral-friendly footage is a broader diplomatic message: Singapore is looking further afield, and Central Asia is increasingly part of that conversation.
As SM Lee continues his journey to Uzbekistan, the eagle-and-archery moment may remain the social media highlight — while the agreements and partnerships forged behind closed doors could have a longer-lasting impact on Singapore’s ties with the region.
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