India, Singapore Set to Seal Landmark Agreements

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s three-day visit to New Delhi, starting Tuesday, marks a pivotal moment in India-Singapore relations as the two nations gear up to sign five landmark agreements in shipping, civil aviation, and space collaboration. The visit, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties, underscores a deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Singapore in September 2024.

The agreements aim to bolster economic ties, leveraging the complementary strengths of both nations. A highlight of the visit will be the virtual inauguration of a container terminal in Maharashtra on Thursday, a project backed by over USD 1 billion from the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA International). This initiative is set to enhance India’s maritime infrastructure and trade capabilities. Modi and Wong will hold extensive talks, focusing on expanding two-way economic engagement and exploring new avenues for collaboration, including innovative projects like solar energy exports and green hydrogen initiatives.

Singapore remains a vital investor in India, with cumulative investments since 2014 totaling USD 175 billion, including USD 60 billion post-Covid, according to official data. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized Singapore’s role in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy, noting that Wong’s visit “reaffirms the continued commitment to strengthen our comprehensive strategic partnership.” The leaders will also discuss regional and global issues, setting a roadmap for future cooperation.

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Wong, accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation including cabinet ministers like Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, and others, will meet President Droupadi Murmu and engage with key Indian ministers, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Electronics Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. These interactions follow the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) held on August 13, which laid the groundwork for the visit.

Ambitious proposals under discussion include exporting solar energy and green ammonia from India to Singapore via an underwater cable, though challenges like the Andaman Trench pose hurdles. Additionally, a financial data regulatory “sandbox” at Gujarat’s Gift City aims to enhance data connectivity and fintech cooperation. These initiatives reflect the forward-looking vision of both nations to drive sustainable and technological advancements.

The visit builds on robust defence ties, with joint military exercises like the 32nd SIMBEX naval drill in July-August 2025 and the recent Exercise Bold Kurukshetra. Singapore’s role as a hub for Indian companies in Southeast Asia and its status as a top FDI source further solidify this partnership. As both leaders chart the future, the agreements are poised to unlock new opportunities in trade, innovation, and strategic collaboration, cementing India-Singapore ties as a cornerstone of regional stability and growth.

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