Singapore: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore, today in a pivotal meeting held at the Parliament House, where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome. The discussions between the two leaders marked a significant step in the evolution of India-Singapore relations.
In their talks, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Wong reviewed the progress of bilateral ties, recognizing the breadth and depth of their cooperation. They jointly decided to elevate the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a move that will significantly enhance India’s Act East Policy and provide a major boost to the bilateral relationship.
Highlighting the robust economic ties between the two nations, the leaders emphasized the need to expand trade and investment flows. Prime Minister Modi noted that Singapore, with an investment of approximately USD 160 billion in India, stands as a leading economic partner. He further underscored that the rapid growth in India presents substantial investment opportunities for Singaporean entities.
The leaders also reviewed existing cooperation in various domains, including defence and security, maritime domain awareness, education, artificial intelligence, fintech, new technology areas, and science and technology. They emphasized the importance of strengthening connectivity to enhance both economic and people-to-people ties, and called for an acceleration of green corridor projects.
The outcome of the 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable held in August 2024 in Singapore was also discussed. The leaders praised the work done by senior ministers from both sides in identifying new areas for cooperation and emphasized accelerated action on the identified pillars: Advanced Manufacturing, Connectivity, Digitalization, Healthcare & Medicine, Skills Development, and Sustainability. Special focus was given to cooperation in semiconductors and emerging technologies as pivotal elements in shaping the future of bilateral relations.
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations in 2025, Prime Minister Modi announced the opening of India’s first Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre in Singapore, highlighting the importance of cultural connections between the two nations.
The leaders also exchanged views on significant regional and global issues, including India-ASEAN relations and India’s vision for the Indo-Pacific. They witnessed the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in Semiconductors, Digital Technologies, Skill Development, and Healthcare, reflecting the outcomes of their recent Ministerial Roundtables.