India and Singapore share strong and robust relations. The two countries are committed to multilateralism, rule of law and a world based on mutual peace. The two countries have cooperated at regional and internal forums such as the United Nations (UN), Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), World Trade Organization (WTO), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and Commonwealth. Singapore is an important participant in the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance, initiatives launched by India.
During the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Singapore on September 4 and 5, 2024, at the invitation of Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore, the relations between the two countries were further strengthened. A significant outcome of Modi’s visit was the elevation of bilateral relations between the two countries to a higher level of a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’, to deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation. This elevation also provides a major boost to India’s Act East Policy. Both Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to work together to promote peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region. “Singapore is also an important facilitator of our Act East policy. Our shared belief in democratic values connects us with each other,” Modi remarked.
Prime Minister Wong reaffirmed Singapore’s continuing support for India as a permanent member in a reformed United Nations Security Council. Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Wong for extending support for India’s candidature as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2028-29 term.
Both the Prime Ministers underlined the importance of an open, inclusive, rules-based and resilient Indo-Pacific region, which promotes free trade and open markets and where differences are resolved peacefully in accordance with international law. They acknowledged India and Singapore’s close cooperation on, and support for, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).
The two countries also enjoy a robust economic partnership. Singapore is India’s largest trading partner among the ASEAN Member States. Singapore is also India’s 6th largest trade partner (2023-24) with a share of 3.2 % of India’s overall trade. During the Financial Year 2023-24, Singapore was the largest source of FDI into India. During the meeting with his Singapore counterpart, the Indian Prime Minister highlighted that Singapore with an investment of around USD 160 billion in the Indian economy, is a leading economic partner for India. He further noted that rapid and sustained growth in India has opened up immense investment opportunities for Singaporean entities.
During Modi’s visit, India and Singapore signed four Memorandum of Understanding. The MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Digital Technologies was signed between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), India and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, Singapore to cooperate in digital technologies. The MoU will help facilitate close cooperation between the two countries in the areas of digital technologies, such as digital public infrastructure, cyber-security, and 5G technology. Building on this MoU, both the Prime Ministers agreed to deepen collaboration in the digital space, including in facilitating trusted cross-border data flows, cybersecurity, and the interoperability of digital system. The MoU on Educational Cooperation and Skills Development was signed by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, India and the Ministry of Education, Singapore on educational cooperation and skills development. Both Prime Ministers reaffirmed the progress in skills development cooperation with the establishment of five skill centers in India, where Singaporean institutions provided consultancy services and undertook turn-key projects.
Both Prime Ministers commended initiatives for bringing Indian interns to Singapore under the ITE Education Services’ Singapore Internship Programme with Odisha’s World Skill Center and Singaporean interns under the CII-Enterprise Singapore India Ready Talent Programme.
The MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Health and Medicine was signed between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India and the Ministry of Health, Singapore on cooperation in the field of health and medicine. Both Prime Ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation in healthcare, medical education, research, and human resource development in both countries. Both Prime Ministers acknowledged the potential in human resource development in the health sector.
The MoU on India-Singapore Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership was signed between MeitY and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. According to this agreement, India and Singapore will collaborate in establishing a semiconductor hub and nurturing talent in semiconductor design and manufacturing. Additionally, it will encourage Singapore’s investments in India. Both Prime Ministers agreed that advanced manufacturing, particularly in developing resilient semiconductor supply chains, can be a new pillar of bilateral cooperation.
This was the fifth visit of Modi to Singapore. It has further cemented the ties between the two countries as they celebrate 60 years of establishing diplomatic relations in 2025.
