What to Expect from the Third India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable in Delhi?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The third ISMR is set to strengthen India-Singapore ties.
- Key ministers from both countries will participate.
- Focus areas include semiconductors and digital development.
- Previous meetings have paved the way for deeper collaboration.
- PM Modi's vision has shaped the ISMR's agenda.
New Delhi, Aug 12 (NationPress) The forthcoming third session of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) is set to unfold in New Delhi on Wednesday. This initiative aims to further fortify and enhance the bilateral ties between the two nations, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday.
These high-level discussions precede the anticipated visit of Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to India next month, as reported by various media outlets.
India's representation will include External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The delegation from Singapore will be led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, accompanied by Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng, and Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow.
Last year, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore, the two nations elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The ISMR, conceived by PM Modi, is recognized by the MEA as a distinctive platform for devising a progressive agenda for India–Singapore cooperation.
The inaugural meeting occurred in New Delhi in September 2022, followed by a second round in Singapore in August 2024. The upcoming session is anticipated to unveil new prospects for strengthening this partnership.
Earlier this year, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam visited India for high-level discussions, during which he conferred with EAM Jaishankar on areas of collaboration such as semiconductors, industrial parks, skilling, digitalization, and trade development.
He also engaged with Prime Minister Modi, concentrating on 'futuristic sectors' to amplify bilateral cooperation.