India and Singapore are poised for an even bigger take-off in their bilateral relations, with the two countries identifying new areas of cooperation in areas such as digitization, sustainability, skills, health, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity. This comes on the heels of the second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable, where ministers from both sides discussed new areas of collaboration.

Enhanced India-Singapore Ties

The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Singapore in September 2023 is anticipated to solidify and expand the dynamic strategic partnership between the two nations. This visit, marking the first since 2017, coincides with the emergence of a new leadership in Singapore, providing a crucial platform to establish a new phase in their multifaceted relationship.

Foundation of a Robust Partnership

India and Singapore have developed a strong foundation built on shared history, people-to-people connections, and robust trade and investment flows. The robust defense cooperation and growing cultural and educational exchanges further cement their partnership. The Ministerial Roundtable, focusing on identifying “new thrust areas” for future cooperation, emphasizes the shared vision of both nations to expand their collaboration in areas like digitization, sustainability, skills development, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity.

A Dynamic Strategic Partnership

The India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable serves as a testament to the evolving dynamic strategic partnership between the two countries. This framework has led to the identification of “new anchors” for their collaboration, paving the way for an expanded and future-oriented engagement.

Mutual Benefits and Economic Growth

Singapore, being India’s largest trading partner in the ASEAN bloc and a prominent source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), plays a pivotal role in India’s economic growth. Notably, Singapore was India’s largest source of FDI in the preceding fiscal year, with investments valued at USD 11.77 billion. The upcoming visit is expected to propel cooperation in the crucial sector of semiconductors, highlighting the mutual benefits both nations stand to gain.

New Horizons of Cooperation

The deepening of the India-Singapore partnership transcends traditional economic and trade relations. The identification of new areas for collaboration, including food security, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and semiconductors, signifies the shared commitment of both countries towards sustainable growth and technological advancement.

Prime Minister Modi’s Visit to Brunei: Strengthening a Multifaceted Partnership

Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to Brunei marks the first bilateral visit of an Indian Prime Minister to the country. This visit coincides with the celebration of 40 years of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei, marking a significant milestone in their relationship.

Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation in All Sectors

Brunei is a crucial partner for India within its “Act East” policy and vision for the Indo-Pacific. The visit aims to bolster bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including defense cooperation, trade, and investment, energy, space technology, healthcare, capacity building, and cultural exchange. It is also expected to explore new avenues for cooperation in emerging sectors.

A Focus on Space Technology Collaboration

India and Brunei have a robust collaboration in space technology, evidenced by the presence of a telemetry tracking and command station in Brunei, established in 2000. This station plays a critical role in tracking and monitoring Indian satellite launches, showcasing the mutual commitment to advancement in space exploration.

Strengthening Defense Cooperation

Defense cooperation stands as a crucial pillar in the India-Brunei partnership. Both nations are currently in discussions to establish a joint working group in defense, signaling the intent to enhance military cooperation and strengthen regional security.

Takeaways

• Enhanced bilateral ties: The upcoming visits of Prime Minister Modi to Singapore and Brunei underscore India’s commitment to strengthen its strategic partnerships in Southeast Asia.
• New areas of cooperation: The identified new areas of cooperation in both countries – ranging from digitization to green hydrogen – reflect a forward-looking approach, prioritizing shared interests in sustainable growth and technological advancement.
• Mutual benefits: Both India and its Southeast Asian partners stand to gain immensely from these strengthened ties, benefiting from economic growth, trade promotion, technological advancements, and enhanced security cooperation.
• Indo-Pacific Vision: These visits serve as a testament to India’s “Act East” policy and its commitment to forging strategic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, contributing to a stable and prosperous region.