Will the Third India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable Enhance Bilateral Ties?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Strengthening bilateral ties through high-level discussions.
- Focus on emerging sectors like technology and trade.
- Significant participation from key ministers of both countries.
- Collaboration opportunities in semiconductors and digitalization.
- Building on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
New Delhi, Aug 13 (NationPress) The third edition of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on Wednesday, aiming to bolster and expand the partnership between the two nations, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
This high-level dialogue precedes a potential visit by Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to India next month, according to media sources.
India will be represented by notable figures including 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.
Joining them will be a delegation of six ministers from Singapore, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong. Other members include 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.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore last year, India and Singapore elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Envisioned by PM Modi, the ISMR provides a unique platform for establishing a future-focused agenda for collaboration between India and Singapore.
The inaugural meeting took place in New Delhi in September 2022, followed by a second round in Singapore in August 2024. The upcoming third round aims to unveil new opportunities for strengthening this partnership.
Earlier this January, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam visited India for high-level discussions, where he met EAM Jaishankar to explore collaboration in areas such as semiconductors, industrial parks, skilling, digitalization, and trade development.
He also engaged with Prime Minister Modi to focus on “futuristic sectors” to deepen cooperation.