Singapore and India Expand Cooperation Under Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
In the context of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and India, Singaporean PM Lawrence Wong undertook a state visit to India from 2 to 4 September 2025. Singapore just celebrated its 60th Independence Day on 9 August 2025 and it can be inferred that the Singapore and India established diplomatic ties right upon Singapore’s independence.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation agreements in various fields, including：
- Green and digital shipping
- Civil aviation training
- Finance and FinTech
- Digital assets
- Healthcare
- Space Technology
Singapore is India’s largest trading partner within ASEAN and is the preferred financial platform for routing investments into India. PM Wong underscored that Singapore has kept its pole position as the largest source of #FDI into India for the last consecutive seven years. For financial year 2024-2025 ending on 30 June 2025, the FDI flow via Singapore into India reached USD 15 billion, compared to USD 12 billion in FY 2023-2024. The Gujerat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) will strengthen partnership with the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) through the India NSE IX – SGX GIFT Connect framework.
In order to boost business further, Singapore and India concluded a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (#CECA) as well as an Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN. The 3rd Review on CECA is scheduled to take place soon in order to fine-tune the #FTA so that both countries can reap more benefits. Both sides will institutionalize the India-Singapore Business Roundtable as a regular flagship B2B event.
Modi enjoined Wong to inaugurate the Mumbai Container Terminal Phase II which was developed thanks to a partnership between Singapore Ports Authority and Jahawarlal Nehru Ports Authority. The port will adopt the latest in terms of automation advances and decarbonization drive.
India has solicited the expertise of Singapore in the field of semiconductor manufacturing and avionics. In that regard, both sides have agreed to set up a National Center of Excellence on Advanced Manufacturing in Chennai. The Center aims to develop skills in semiconductor fabrication and aviation maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO).
India will continue to supply nursing staff to Singapore under the Nursing Talent Skills Cooperation MoU. Thorough more exchanges, India seeks to enhance the employability of its talent in Singapore.
Singapore has a vibrant Indian diaspora hailing mostly from Southern India and is a pillar of India’ foreign policy under Act East. In fact, the Act East policy was upgraded from the Look East policy in order to reinvigorate it and give it more substance.