India and Singapore have elevated their bilateral relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership," marking a significant enhancement in cooperation across multiple sectors.
The milestone was reached during a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong, on Thursday in Singapore.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), including a crucial agreement on semiconductor cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi, in his opening remarks, hailed Singapore not just as a partner but as an inspiration for every developing country.
"Singapore is not only a partner nation; it is an inspiration for every developing country," Modi stated, highlighting the importance of the bilateral relationship.
The elevation of ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership represents a new chapter in India-Singapore relations.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced the development on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "A new chapter in ties: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established. PM @narendramodi and PM @LawrenceWongST held a productive meeting in Singapore today."
Both leaders extensively reviewed various facets of the bilateral relationship, covering a wide range of areas such as advanced manufacturing, connectivity, digitalisation, healthcare and medicine, skills development, and sustainability.
Significance of the partnership
The MEA emphasised that the upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership is driven by the breadth and depth of bilateral ties and immense potential for growth.
"Given the breadth and depth of bilateral ties and immense potential, they decided to elevate the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This would also give a major boost to India’s Act East Policy," the ministry said in a statement.
Economic relations between India and Singapore have been robust, with Singapore being a leading economic partner for India. Singapore has invested around USD 160 billion in the Indian economy, making it a critical player in India's economic landscape.
Focus on economic cooperation and connectivity
The leaders also reviewed existing cooperation in fields such as defence and security, maritime domain awareness, education, artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, new technology domains, science and technology, and knowledge partnership.
They called for strengthening connectivity between the two countries to enhance economic and people-to-people ties. The leaders also advocated for the acceleration of green corridor projects, which are pivotal for sustainable development.
A significant outcome of the talks was the discussion on the 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable held in Singapore in August 2024. The roundtable, a unique mechanism involving senior ministers from both sides, deliberated on and identified a new agenda for bilateral cooperation.
"Noting that the Ministerial Roundtable is a unique mechanism, the leaders appreciated the work done by senior ministers from both sides in deliberating and identifying a new agenda for bilateral cooperation. The leaders called for accelerated action under the pillars of cooperation identified during the Ministerial Roundtables - advanced manufacturing, connectivity, digitalisation, healthcare & medicine, skills development and sustainability," the MEA statement added.
New agreements and future-oriented ties
One of the standout points of the discussion was the potential cooperation in the areas of semiconductors and other critical and emerging technologies. The leaders underscored that collaboration in these fields opens a new chapter in bilateral relations, making their ties more future-oriented.
The celebration of the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations in 2025 was also a focal point of the discussions. Prime Minister Modi announced the establishment of India's first Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre in Singapore, a move aimed at enhancing cultural connectivity between the two nations.
The two leaders also exchanged views on important regional and global issues of mutual interest, including India-ASEAN relations and India’s vision for the Indo-Pacific.
Both sides acknowledged the importance of maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
MoUs Signed to Boost Cooperation
During the visit, four MoUs were signed, focusing on cooperation in semiconductors, digital technologies, skill development, and healthcare. These agreements stemmed from the deliberations at the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtables.
Following their talks, Modi invited Prime Minister Wong to visit India, a proposal that Wong accepted. In his remarks, Wong highlighted the deep and enduring friendship between Singapore and India, built on strong economic and people-to-people ties.
"Had a productive meeting with Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi at Parliament House. We've set out a forward-looking agenda for the next phase of our bilateral relations," Wong posted on X.
Foundation for future growth
Wong emphasised that the upgraded partnership is timely as the two countries seek to expand cooperation in new, mutually beneficial areas.
"This includes closer cooperation in areas like sustainability, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and connectivity. We're also upgrading the Singapore-India Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Wong said. "This is timely as we expand our partnership in new, mutually beneficial areas. We also celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations and our Strategic Partnership's 10th anniversary next year."
Prime Minister Modi's visit to Singapore is part of his broader diplomatic engagement in Southeast Asia. He arrived in Singapore following a visit to Brunei, which marked the first bilateral visit there by an Indian prime minister.
Upon arrival, Modi was warmly welcomed by the Indian community in Singapore.
During his two-day visit, Modi also engaged with other Singaporean leaders. He called on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. Lee hosted a luncheon for Modi, signifying the warmth and depth of bilateral relations.
Modi and Wong also visited a leading Singaporean company in the semiconductor and electronics sector, where they discussed avenues for collaboration in this critical industry.
The semiconductor sector is seen as a key area of cooperation, given the global supply chain dynamics and India's aspirations to become a major player in this space.
Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi met with Singaporean business leaders and interacted with stakeholders in the country’s semiconductor ecosystem.
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