Singapore and India are deepening their strategic partnership with five new tie-ups, emphasizing skills development and space cooperation. These agreements were announced during Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's first official visit to India as head of government, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The collaborations span several key sectors, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the India-Singapore partnership.

Skills Development

A significant component of the new agreements is the focus on enhancing skills development in India. Singapore will support India's skill development initiatives, including the establishment of state-level centers. A National Centre of Excellence for advanced manufacturing will be established in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This center will focus on areas such as semiconductors, automation, and robotics, with Singaporean institutions providing consultancy services and undertaking turnkey projects.

The collaboration will involve jointly developing an industry-oriented curriculum, training faculty, and working on India's skills certification framework. Singapore will share its expertise in quality assurance and certifying vocational qualifications. These efforts aim to meet industry needs in sectors like aviation, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and semiconductors, enhancing India's competitiveness in the global market.

Space Cooperation

Space cooperation is another key area of collaboration. The two countries have agreed to promote collaboration between the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and the Office for Space Technology & Industry, Singapore. This includes cooperation in Earth observation and satellite communication technologies and applications. More than 20 Singapore-made satellites have already been launched by India. The new memorandum of understanding (MOU) aims to broaden this partnership and push the boundaries of what can be achieved together.

Other Areas of Cooperation

Besides skills development and space cooperation, the five MOUs cover aviation, cleaner shipping, digital banking, and the space industry.

• Aviation: The countries agreed to collaborate in India's growing aviation and aerospace MRO sectors through partnerships between Indian and Singapore companies. This includes sharing Singapore's expertise and providing upskilling opportunities. They also agreed to expand the bilateral Air Services Agreement to enhance air connectivity and partner in airport development, including management services for Indian airports.
• Green and Digital Shipping: An India-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) will be established between the Port of Singapore and ports in India to deepen maritime connectivity and work towards the establishment of a green maritime fuel corridor.
• Digital Economy: Cooperation in digital asset innovation and digital connectivity is also a priority. This includes enhancing cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and digital technologies. The success of UPI and Singapore's PayNow as examples of cross-border digital connectivity was also lauded, with 13 new Indian banks joining the platform.

Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

These new initiatives are part of a broader roadmap to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Singapore. This partnership encompasses eight priority areas: economic cooperation, skills development, digitalization, sustainability, connectivity, healthcare and medicine, defence and security cooperation, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The aim is to create a more comprehensive and future-oriented partnership, benefiting both economies through increased access to investment, technology, and global markets. Singapore remains confident in India's growth and will continue to invest in the country.