India and Singapore are seeking to further deepen their bilateral partnership by focusing on defence cooperation, technology collaboration, trade, and people-to-people ties.

During the official visit of Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to India from September 2–4, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two nations explored new avenues of engagement, marking this as a milestone visit that coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Wong, accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation including Cabinet Ministers and senior officials, began his first state visit to India as Singapore’s Prime Minister with a ceremonial gesture at Rajghat by paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi. This symbolic start emphasised the importance of shared historical values and respect in the India-Singapore relationship.

A central theme of the bilateral talks was defence cooperation, which both nations consider a critical pillar of their strategic ties. According to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (East), P. Kumaran, discussions are underway on possibilities for co-development, co-production, and joint research in the defence technology sector.

Both sides acknowledged that while the cooperation in this field is a work in progress, there exists a strong commitment to explore shared innovation, particularly in defence technology development. PM Modi and PM Wong emphasised the importance of facilitating greater training exchanges and strengthening engagement across all three services of the armed forces.

In addition to conventional military cooperation, the two prime ministers also agreed that collaboration in defence technology could play an instrumental role in shaping a future-ready partnership that is relevant for the Indo-Pacific security architecture.

Economic and trade relations also featured prominently in the discussions, particularly in the context of India’s partnership with ASEAN. Singapore, being a key economic partner and an important player in the ASEAN bloc, assured India of its cooperation in reviewing and refining the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).

India has repeatedly raised concerns regarding the rising trade deficit with ASEAN since the AITIGA framework came into force, arguing for reforms that promote fairness and balance in regional trade. P. Kumaran noted that Singapore has agreed to help articulate India’s concerns within ASEAN, ensuring that any revised structure produces a win-win outcome.

The officials also acknowledged the growth in bilateral trade, which has increased significantly from USD 6.7 billion in 2004–05 to nearly USD 35 billion in 2024–25, reflecting the remarkable progress in economic cooperation.

Discussions also included the roadmap for the next review of the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), signalling both governments’ intent to pursue improved facilitation of investment flows and market access.

Beyond hard security and trade, cultural and people-to-people ties were also highlighted as fundamental pillars of the India-Singapore relationship. The two leaders agreed that connectivity at the societal and cultural levels plays an equally important role in strengthening long-term relations.

These exchanges are embedded into India’s broader Act East Policy, in which Singapore serves as a cornerstone partner. Singapore’s consistent support to India in engaging with ASEAN and navigating multilateral frameworks further underscores its role as a trusted ally in the region.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s visit to India has reinforced the multidimensional character of India-Singapore relations. The dialogue not only celebrated six decades of diplomatic ties but also laid the foundation for the next phase of their strategic partnership.

Defence technology collaboration, greater military engagement, deeper economic integration through CECA and AITIGA reviews, as well as cultural and regional cooperation, were firmly identified as priority areas.

Both leaders recognised the sustained growth in trade and investments and underlined the immense potential to take this forward in the coming decade. The visit, marking a year since PM Modi’s successful trip to Singapore in 2024, has created strong political momentum and mapped out new strategic pathways for bilateral and regional cooperation, consolidating a trusted partnership that is expected to further evolve in tandem with the Indo-Pacific’s dynamic economic and security environment.

Based On ANI Report