Singapore PM Lawrence Wong Pushes For Stronger Education & Skills Development Ties With India

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi on Thursday to strengthen cooperation in education and skills development.

PM Wong described the discussion as ‘fruitful’ and emphasised that education and skills remain a key pillar of the Singapore-India partnership.

High-Level Talks with PM Modi

Earlier in the day, Wong held wide-ranging talks with PM Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House. Both leaders discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, advanced manufacturing, connectivity, digitalisation, healthcare, medicine, skilling, sustainability, defence and security, and cultural ties.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

PM Modi and Wong adopted a roadmap for the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).

The roadmap sets the vision and direction for the next phase of bilateral ties, covering eight areas: economy, skills development, digitalisation, sustainability, connectivity, healthcare, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and defence and security.

Both countries committed to launching the Third Review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and to substantially reviewing the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) in 2025.

They agreed to jointly develop sustainable industrial parks and next-generation facilities with advanced manufacturing capabilities through government-to-government cooperation, knowledge sharing, green standards, and partnerships.

India and Singapore pledged to strengthen ties between their business communities through platforms like the India-Singapore Business Roundtable (ISBR). They emphasised deeper collaboration in areas that align with the bilateral cooperation agenda.

Both nations agreed to promote joint projects in the space sector. IN-SPACe and Singapore’s Office for Space Technology and Industry will work together with industries from both countries on space policy, law, research, and development in areas such as Earth observation and satellite communication.

India and Singapore are committed to enhancing cooperation in digital finance, fintech, cybersecurity, and capital markets. They also agreed to strengthen legal and dispute resolution mechanisms to better serve the needs of businesses on both sides.

Green Energy and Sustainability Initiatives

Both nations vowed to collaborate in multilateral frameworks such as the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance.

They also agreed to explore partnerships in urban water management, the civil nuclear sector, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to promote cleaner energy in aviation.

Recognising growing travel demand, Modi and Wong encouraged civil aviation authorities to expand the bilateral Air Services Agreement to improve air connectivity.

Strengthening Maritime and Security Cooperation

India and Singapore reaffirmed their commitment to maritime security and regional stability. They agreed to boost maritime domain awareness, continue cooperation in submarine rescue, and work closely within ASEAN-led regional security frameworks.

Singapore also acknowledged India’s interest in the Malacca Straits Patrol.

Both nations reiterated zero tolerance toward terrorism. They pledged to strengthen cooperation against terrorism and terror financing through bilateral mechanisms, the FATF, and multilateral platforms, targeting groups listed by the UN Security Council’s 1267 Sanctions Committee.

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