PM Lawrence Wong urges deeper cooperation with India on trade, tech, and security
Amid rising geopolitical tensions, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has called for India and Singapore to “double down” on their partnership, describing it as a vital pillar of stability in Asia. His remarks came during his first official visit to India, ahead of a roadmap announcement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to advance bilateral ties.
A Roadmap for Stronger Ties
PM Wong highlighted the launch of a new roadmap to guide the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which was upgraded last year. The roadmap, to be announced with PM Modi in New Delhi on September 4, will lay out ambitious goals across trade, technology, energy, and security. Wong emphasized that India-Singapore cooperation is “not just on words and rhetoric, but on concrete action and outcomes.”
Ministerial Roundtable as a Strategic Mechanism
The India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR), first convened in 2022, has become a key platform for advancing bilateral ties. Wong, who led the inaugural ISMR during Singapore’s leadership transition, said it allowed both sides to discuss cooperation at a strategic level rather than ministry by ministry. The third ISMR, held in August, continued this momentum, with Deputy PM Gan Kim Yong leading Singapore’s engagement.
Semiconductors and Supply Chain Resilience
Semiconductors have emerged as a core area of collaboration. Following an MoU signed in 2024, the two countries are working on:
- A “green lane” to align standards and ease semiconductor trade.
- A potential skills training centre in Gujarat.
- Joint research and innovation projects.
Wong stressed that India’s role is crucial to building a diversified and resilient global supply chain, noting strong interest from Singapore’s semiconductor ecosystem in expanding to India.
Expanding Cooperation: Data, Energy, and Food Security
Wong also pointed to new opportunities:
- Data: Exploring a pilot cross-border data corridor between Gujarat’s GIFT City and Singapore, supporting fintech, AI, and digital trade.
- Green energy: Cooperation on low-carbon hydrogen, carbon credits, carbon capture, and even potential civilian nuclear power.
- Food security: Enhancing agricultural trade, with Singapore already importing rice and spices from India and keen to diversify sources further.
Investment Confidence Backed by Track Record
Singapore remains India’s top foreign investor, contributing nearly 24% of FDI inflows since 2000. Investments from India into Singapore have also grown from S$481 million in 2004 to S$31.6 billion in 2023. Trade has more than doubled since the CECA agreement in 2005, reaching S$52.2 billion in 2023.
Wong reaffirmed confidence in India’s growth, citing its youthful population, expanding middle class, and tech-driven economy. “Our confidence in India is not new. It is longstanding, and it is backed by a proven track record and actions,” he said.
ASEAN and India: Shared Growth Engines
Beyond bilateral ties, Wong stressed the importance of ASEAN-India relations, especially as the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) undergoes review. He urged flexibility to ensure trade flows continue smoothly, while highlighting Asia’s shift as the global economic centre of gravity. “India will be the second growth engine alongside China, with ASEAN as the third,” he noted.
PM Wong’s India visit underscores a strategic alignment between Singapore and India in navigating global uncertainties. From semiconductors and data to green energy and food security, both nations are strengthening a partnership grounded in trust and action. The roadmap for their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signals a new chapter of cooperation—one that will not only benefit the two countries but also contribute to Asia’s stability and prosperity.
Sources: CNA (2025) , Hindustan Times (2025)
Keywords: India Singapore Relations, Strategic Partnership, Lawrence Wong India Visit, Semiconductors Cooperation, ASEAN India Trade, Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
