To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is making a grand state visit to India from January 15 to 18, 2025. This visit is not only a celebration of 60 years of relations but also an opportunity to visit India. Strengthen cooperation in key areas such as trade, technology, defense and skills development. As Singapore looks to diversify its partnerships within India, President Shanmugaratnam’s visit has important implications for the future of both countries in an increasingly interconnected world.
Strengthening relations with Odisha
What is noteworthy about this visit is that it focuses on Odisha, a state in eastern India that is a strategic area of interest for Singapore. Singapore has long been linked to India’s major economic hubs such as Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, and the visit signals Singapore’s efforts to expand its engagement with other promising regions. President Shanmugaratnam will visit Odisha from January 17-18 to explore opportunities for cooperation in industries such as vaccine manufacturing, semiconductor technology and industrial automation.
One of the key highlights of Odisha’s visit was President Shanmugaratnam’s tour of the Bharat Biotech vaccine manufacturing facility and World Skills Center, supported by the Institute of Technical Education and Educational Services Singapore (ITEES). These initiatives reflect Singapore’s commitment to contributing its expertise in education and healthcare to India’s growth.
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Ahead of his visit, President Shanmugaratnam said, “We believe that Odisha has immense potential in areas such as technology and healthcare, and we look forward to working with the state to explore new avenues of partnership.” I’m excited about it.”
Key meetings in New Delhi: Strengthening political and economic ties
President Shanmugaratnam will meet with Indian political leaders, including President Drupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi. Discussions are expected to focus on the evolving nature of the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was strengthened during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Singapore in September 2024.
On January 16, President Murmu will host a state dinner for President Shanmugaratnam, further cementing the growing diplomatic ties between the two countries. In addition to the political talks, the President of Singapore will confer the Honorary National Award on former Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Secretary-General Tarun Das for his contribution to strengthening India-Singapore relations.
President Shanmugaratnam will also interact with India’s thought leaders in a closed-door roundtable discussion focused on areas such as trade, digitalization and emerging technologies. The visit is poised to foster deeper economic integration between Singapore and India, with discussions centered on future cooperation in high-tech industries such as semiconductors, AI and fintech.
Trade and investment: the next frontier of cooperation
The visit will focus on economic relations, with both sides aiming to expand cooperation in areas such as industrial automation, semiconductor manufacturing and green energy. Bilateral trade has already surged to USD 35.6 billion in 2023-2024, with Singapore remaining India’s largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI), contributing a significant portion of the country’s total FDI inflows. There is.
The visit is likely to include the signing of several memorandums of understanding focusing on areas such as the semiconductor ecosystem, where both countries are keen to collaborate on research, design and manufacturing. Singapore is also keen to set up a semiconductor training center in India, in line with India’s drive to build a robust semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.
Transport and Finance Minister Chee Hong Tat, who accompanied the President, said, “Singapore is committed to playing a central role in India’s technology transformation, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing, which is critical to global supply chains.” Ta.
Additionally, Singapore and India are discussing ways to expand air travel services between the two countries. Although Singapore is making the most of its airspace allocation to India, India’s allocation remains underutilized, presenting a unique opportunity to further bilateral cooperation in the aviation sector.
Defense cooperation: a pillar of partnership
Defense and security cooperation will also feature heavily in discussions. The two countries have long shared a commitment to regional stability, and military cooperation continues to deepen. Singapore and India regularly conduct joint military exercises such as the Agni Warrior Army Exercise and the SIMBEX Naval Exercise.
The visit follows recent high-level exchanges, including Singapore’s Defense Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen’s visit to India in October 2024. The two countries are expected to continue discussions on strengthening defense ties, particularly in the areas of maritime security and counter-terrorism.
Culture and connections between people
Cultural diplomacy will also be an important theme of President Shanmugaratnam’s visit. The two countries share a rich cultural heritage and have active people-to-people exchanges. Singapore is home to a vibrant Indian diaspora, with over 1 million people of Indian descent, many of whom work in various sectors such as finance, IT and education.
During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Singapore in September 2024, the establishment of Tiruvalluvar Cultural Center was announced, further strengthening the cultural ties between the two countries. Singapore’s Indian community remains a bridge between the two countries, fostering close ties in both cultural and economic exchanges.
Looking to the future: A new era in India-Singapore relations
As President Shanmugaratnam’s visit progresses, it is clear that both countries are committed to expanding relations in a wide range of areas. With discussions focused on technology, trade, defense and culture, the visit marks a new chapter in India-Singapore relations and promises deeper cooperation in the years to come.
The 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations is not just a milestone, but a stepping stone to a future where our two countries are not just partners, but world leaders in areas such as digitalisation, innovation and sustainable development. As Singapore strengthens its role as a key player in Southeast Asia, India remains an essential partner in efforts to drive regional and global growth.
