India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has expressed optimism about the future of India-Singapore relations, stating that the time is ripe to elevate their partnership to a new level. His remarks come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Singapore, highlighting the deep-rooted and evolving relationship between the two nations.
A Partnership Built on Trust
In an interview with The Straits Times, Jaishankar emphasized that India and Singapore have shared a strong bilateral relationship for the past two decades. He encouraged Singapore to seize the current momentum and leverage the evolving landscape, drawing comparisons to key moments in their shared history, such as 1992 and 2006, when both countries made significant strides in their partnership.
“Given the transformation underway in India and the changes in the world, they need to become more contemporary. In many ways, that is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen to visit Singapore so early in his third term,” Jaishankar said, as quoted by The Straits Times.
Modernizing Perceptions
Jaishankar pointed out that perceptions of India in Singapore may be somewhat outdated. He underscored how India is using its achievements over the last decade as a springboard for accelerated national growth and modernization. The minister, who previously served as India’s High Commissioner to Singapore, highlighted the importance of closer collaboration in an increasingly unpredictable world, noting that the India-Singapore partnership is built on high levels of trust and understanding.
These characteristics, he added, allow both nations to share assessments and explore areas of convergence.
Modi’s Special Sentiment for Singapore
Jaishankar also mentioned Prime Minister Modi’s special sentiment for Singapore, underscoring the significance of strong leadership connections. He noted that the time has come to reflect current realities in both countries and to take their ties to the next level.
As part of this forward-looking approach, Jaishankar suggested that Singapore could start by acknowledging India’s significant growth, its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and its rapid digitalization over the past decade. He also pointed to advancements in infrastructure, a focus on manufacturing, and the availability of talent in India.
Focus on Future Technologies
Highlighting future opportunities, Jaishankar singled out emerging technologies such as semiconductors, green technologies, and electric mobility as areas ripe for collaboration. He emphasized the need for joint thinking on the future of connectivity and energy flows, issues that were discussed during the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable last week in preparation for Modi’s visit.
India’s Strategic Role in Food and Health Security
Drawing on the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Jaishankar underscored India’s relevance to global food and health security. He spoke about the evolution of India’s ‘Act East’ policy into a comprehensive Indo-Pacific commitment, asserting that India will play a crucial role in the new global equilibrium—a role that aligns with the interests of Singapore and ASEAN.
Singapore’s Central Role in India’s Eastward Policies
Jaishankar also highlighted Singapore’s central role in both the ‘Look East’ and ‘Act East’ policies, as evident in their partnership across security, connectivity, technology, and sustainability. He pointed out the untapped potential of Southeast Asia, particularly due to its favorable demographics and growth prospects.
He cited the Trilateral Highway as an example of the transformative potential of completed projects and expressed confidence in a bright future for India-Singapore relations.
High-Profile Meetings in Singapore
During his visit to Singapore, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to meet with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, and leaders of Singapore’s business community. These meetings are expected to further strengthen the ties between the two nations and set the stage for future collaboration in various fields.