India & Singapore Announce New Roadmap To Strengthen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong held significant talks that resulted in the announcement of a detailed roadmap to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Singapore.

The initiative aims to enhance collaboration across multiple sectors, including economic cooperation, skill development, digitalisation, connectivity, sustainability, healthcare, and defence.

PM Modi described the partnership as ‘a partnership with purpose, rooted in shared values, guided by mutual interests, and driven by a common vision for peace, progress and prosperity’.

He expressed gratitude towards Singapore for its support on cross-border terrorism issues, including the Pahalgam attack.

Both leaders outlined plans to broaden cooperation beyond conventional areas.

PM Modi highlighted new focus sectors such as advanced manufacturing, green shipping, skilling, civil nuclear energy, and urban water management, aligning with evolving global demands.

To boost bilateral trade, both countries will undertake a time-bound review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN.

During the visit, the leaders signed five key agreements covering space, digitalisation, civil aviation, and space exploration.

Furthermore, the two countries agreed to explore civil nuclear cooperation, signalling stronger ties in the energy sectors.

Semiconductor Industry and Innovation

The joint statement emphasised backing for the growth of India’s semiconductor industry through the India-Singapore Semiconductor Policy Dialogue.

This includes facilitating partnerships with Singaporean firms and strengthening resilient semiconductor supply chains.

PM Modi noted that the Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership Agreement signed last year had already given fresh momentum to research and development efforts.

Defence and security cooperation featured prominently, with commitments to continue regular exchanges between defence ministers and joint military exercises involving the army, navy, and air force.

Both sides agreed to deepen technological collaboration in emerging fields such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, automation, and unmanned vessels.

Singapore also acknowledged India’s interest in the Malacca Straits Patrol, a multilateral maritime security initiative involving Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore.

“Singapore is a vital pillar of our Act East Policy,” PM Modi stated, reaffirming a shared vision to advance cooperation with ASEAN and promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Both leaders expressed common concerns over terrorism and underlined their commitment to collective efforts against this global menace.

The joint statement reaffirmed a strong dedication to combating terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism.

Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation through bilateral mechanisms, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and multilateral platforms, targeting terror financing and organisations proscribed by the UN Security Council.

The India-Singapore roadmap reflects the deepening of a partnership that extends well beyond diplomacy, aiming to foster sustained economic growth, innovation, and regional security.

Both countries agreed to continue close dialogue and cooperation, signalling a new chapter in their strategic relationship.

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