India and Singapore upgraded their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore on Thursday. PM Modi met with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the Parliament House, where they led a bilateral meeting with their delegations.
Both countries exchanged four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering digital technology, semiconductors, skill development and healthcare. PM Modi extended an invitation for Wong to visit India, which he accepted. During their discussions, the leaders reviewed the progress of India-Singapore relations and decided to elevate their partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, strengthening India's Act East Policy.
The leaders also discussed expanding economic ties, focusing on increasing trade and investment between the two nations. Modi highlighted Singapore’s investment of around USD 160 billion in India, emphasising the growing opportunities for Singaporean businesses due to India’s rapid economic growth.
In addition to economic matters, the leaders reviewed cooperation in defence, security, maritime awareness, education, artificial intelligence, fintech and science and technology. They agreed on the need to boost connectivity to enhance economic and people-to-people ties and called for speeding up green corridor projects.
They also discussed outcomes from the 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable held in August 2024, praising it as a unique platform for driving bilateral cooperation in areas such as advanced manufacturing, digitalisation, healthcare, skills development, and sustainability. The leaders emphasised that cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, especially semiconductors, is crucial for the future of the partnership.
Looking ahead to 2025, they discussed celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Modi announced that India's first Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre would open in Singapore, highlighting the cultural ties between the two countries.
The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including India’s relations with ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific vision. Modi called Singapore an “important anchor” of India's Act East Policy, praising the deepening cooperation between the two countries in defence, skilling and connectivity.
On social media, PM Modi expressed his enthusiasm for the talks, focusing on areas like technology, healthcare and AI. He highlighted that trade between India and Singapore has more than doubled in the past decade, with Singaporean investment nearly tripling to USD 150 billion. PM Modi also noted that 17 Singaporean satellites have been launched from India in the last 10 years and praised the partnership between Singapore Airlines and Air India for strengthening connectivity.
PM Modi concluded by acknowledging the historical ties between India and Singapore, particularly their shared respect for freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose, and emphasised the importance of continuing cooperation for regional peace, stability and prosperity.
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