Singapore is a vital component of India's Act East Policy, serving as a crucial link to the ASEAN region and the wider Indo-Pacific. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has reaffirmed this strategic importance, emphasizing Singapore's central role in India's outreach to the East.

Deepening Bilateral Ties

India and Singapore share a long-standing relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and extensive cooperation across various sectors. In 2025, the two nations celebrate 60 years of diplomatic ties, a milestone that highlights their deepening partnership. This relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, paving the way for enhanced collaboration in economic, defense, and people-to-people exchanges.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore in September 2024 further solidified these ties, with both countries agreeing to a "forward-looking agenda". This agenda focuses on cooperation in advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, and the green transition. Several MoUs were exchanged, focusing on semiconductor ecosystem, digital technologies, healthcare, and skill development.

Economic and Strategic Cooperation

Singapore is India's sixth-largest trade partner and a key economic hub in Southeast Asia. The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) has further boosted trade and investment between the two countries. Both nations recognize the importance of strengthening cooperation in investments, infrastructure, and connectivity.

In a meeting with Teo Chee Hean, Chairman-designate of Temasek Holdings, Jaishankar discussed the ongoing transformation in India and its growing investment opportunities. Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan acknowledged India's growing global role as the world shifts towards multipolarity.

India's Act East Policy

India's Act East Policy, initiated in 2014, represents a strategic shift from a "Look East" approach to a more proactive and engagement-driven approach towards ASEAN and the wider Indo-Pacific. The policy focuses on enhancing economic cooperation, promoting regional engagement, and fostering cultural exchange.

Singapore's role is crucial in this policy, given its strategic location, economic strength, and strong ties with India. The Act East Policy has also brought tangible benefits to India's Northeast region, enhancing connectivity and creating economic opportunities. Infrastructure projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project are key initiatives in this regard.

Multilateral Cooperation

India and Singapore actively collaborate in various multilateral forums, including the East Asia Summit, G20, Commonwealth, IORA, and IONS. Both countries are committed to a rules-based Indo-Pacific and actively engage with ASEAN-led platforms.

Looking Ahead

As India and Singapore celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations, both nations are committed to further strengthening their partnership. The "forward-looking agenda" focuses on cooperation in various sectors, including advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and green transition. The India-Singapore partnership is poised to play a significant role in the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific.