A new committee, chaired by Senior Minister of State for Transport and Law Murali Pillai and Minister of State for Manpower and Culture, Community and Youth Dinesh Vasu Dash, has been formed to advance the interests of Singapore’s Indian community over the next five years, with a focus on supporting its disadvantaged members. Announced by Minister for Home Affairs and Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam on Thursday, the initiative aims to foster progress through collaboration with the civil service and community organizations.

Speaking at a reception hosted by the People’s Association’s Indian Activity Executive Committees Council (Narpani Pearavai) in Khatib, Shanmugam highlighted the Indian community’s strides in education, income, and home ownership. Approximately 40% of Indians in Singapore are now university graduates, up from one in six in 2000, with incomes growing faster than other major ethnic groups. The community, making up about 7% of the population, holds 17% of Cabinet positions, reflecting strong political representation.

The committee, supported by Indian political leaders like Minister Indranee Rajah and Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary, will gather feedback to ensure inclusivity and address issues like recidivism and organizational succession. “We need to galvanize the community and ensure our organizations remain vibrant,” Murali told reporters, emphasizing engagement with groups like the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), which provides educational and social support.

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Dinesh stressed the importance of coordinating policies with Indian organizations to reflect the community’s diverse subcultures. The committee’s formation follows the People’s Action Party’s strong electoral win in May 2025, which saw new Indian MPs, including orthopaedic surgeon Hamid Razak, join Parliament.

Shanmugam acknowledged challenges like casual racism but noted that Singapore offers robust pathways to address such issues, positioning the Indian community strongly compared to global standards. The High Commission of India in Singapore, active in community events like the 2025 Utkal Divas celebration, will likely collaborate with the committee to further integration efforts.

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