Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has signaled an opportune moment for India and Singapore to elevate their bilateral relationship. His comments come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Singapore, reflecting a desire to modernise and deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Jaishankar highlighted that the current transformation in India and the evolving global landscape make it imperative for India and Singapore to enhance their ties. In an interview with The Straits Times, Jaishankar remarked that Modi’s visit, early in his third term, underscores the significance of this relationship. “Our bilateral ties have been extremely strong over the last two decades,” he said, emphasizing that the time is ripe to move to the next level of cooperation.
The minister noted that both countries should seize the current moment to fully utilise the opportunities available. He pointed out that Singapore, having had opportunities in 1992 and 2006, now has a chance to align more closely with India’s recent advancements. Jaishankar stressed that India’s achievements over the past decade—particularly in growth, modernisation, and digitalisation—should be acknowledged and leveraged.
Beyond strengthening bilateral relations, Jaishankar stressed the importance of collaboration in a volatile global environment. He praised the existing high degree of trust and understanding between India and Singapore, which facilitates shared assessments and exploration of mutual interests. This partnership, according to Jaishankar, is vital for addressing global challenges and seizing opportunities in areas like technology, green energy, and connectivity.
In preparation for Modi’s visit, the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable discussed several key areas of collaboration. Jaishankar highlighted the significance of emerging technologies such as semiconductors, green technologies, and electric mobility. He also pointed to the importance of jointly addressing future connectivity and energy flows.
The minister reflected on the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on global food and health security, emphasizing India’s role and its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. He noted that India’s ‘Act East’ policy, which succeeded the ‘Look East’ policy, has been central to strengthening ties with Southeast Asia. The Trilateral Highway project, which aims to connect India with Myanmar and Thailand, exemplifies this commitment.
Jaishankar addressed perceptions that India’s recent focus has shifted towards the Gulf region rather than ASEAN. He clarified that India’s engagement with Gulf nations has expanded beyond trade and energy to include investments, technology, and security. Despite this, he assured that India’s relationship with ASEAN remains robust and is integral to its broader strategic engagement.
Singapore, historically a key partner in India’s ‘Look East’ policy, continues to play a central role in the ‘Act East’ policy. Jaishankar underscored that Singapore’s contributions in areas like security, connectivity, technology, and sustainability are vital. He expressed confidence in a bright future for the India-Singapore relationship, anticipating that Modi’s visit will further strengthen these ties.
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to travel to Singapore on Wednesday. During his visit, he will meet with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. Modi will also engage with leaders of Singapore’s business community, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the bilateral relationship.