India and Singapore Strengthen Ties with Focus on Advanced Manufacturing and Connectivity

Singapore: India and Singapore have taken significant steps to bolster their strategic partnership by introducing two new areas of cooperation—Advanced Manufacturing and Connectivity. This decision was made during the 2nd round of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR), held in Singapore on Monday. The meeting provided an opportunity to review and enhance the existing relationship between the two nations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed in a press release.

India and Singapore to Focus on Advanced Manufacturing and Connectivity to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Expansion of Strategic Partnership

The India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR), which serves as a high-level dialogue platform, saw participation from key ministers of both countries. Representing India were Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

On the Singaporean side, the discussions were led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, along with several other senior ministers, including Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam.

"The Ministers reviewed the progress of the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership, particularly under the pillars of Digitalization, Skills Development, Sustainability, Healthcare, and Medicine, identified during the 1st meeting of ISMR, held in New Delhi on September 17, 2022," according to the official statement.

Introduction of New Pillars: Advanced Manufacturing and Connectivity

To further strengthen bilateral ties, both sides agreed to introduce two new pillars—Advanced Manufacturing and Connectivity. These areas are expected to enhance cooperation in sectors crucial for both nations' economic growth and technological advancement. The Ministers acknowledged the importance of these sectors in driving future economic collaboration and innovation.

The decision to focus on Advanced Manufacturing and Connectivity is seen as a strategic move to align with global trends and meet the demands of the evolving economic landscape. This collaboration is expected to foster innovation, improve supply chain resilience, and enhance digital infrastructure connectivity between India and Singapore.

High-Level Engagements

During their visit to Singapore, the Indian ministers also had the opportunity to meet with Singapore's top leadership. They called on newly elected Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. These meetings further solidified the commitment of both nations to deepen their multifaceted partnership.

"India and Singapore are important partners of each other. The visit reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to further strengthen their multifaceted partnership," the MEA added.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasized the importance of the India-Singapore Ministerial Dialogue as a critical platform for enhancing bilateral ties. He expressed confidence that the dialogue would continue to be instrumental in advancing cooperation between the two nations.

Strengthening India-Singapore Relations

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, after her meeting with Singapore’s Prime Minister, expressed her gratitude, stating that the discussions with Prime Minister Wong underscored the robust and growing ties between India and Singapore. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also expressed appreciation for the Singaporean ministers' commitment to deepening the relationship between the two countries.

The ISMR is set to convene its next round of meetings in India, where both nations will continue to explore avenues for further collaboration under the newly added pillars of Advanced Manufacturing and Connectivity.