AMN / NEW DELHI
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday evening for a three-day official visit, underscoring the growing depth of India-Singapore ties. This is his first trip to India since assuming office earlier this year, and he is accompanied by his wife along with a high-level ministerial and official delegation.
On Wednesday, PM Wong will pay homage at Rajghat, followed by a series of official engagements. The highlight of the visit will be bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, after which he will call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He is also expected to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other senior dignitaries.
The visit comes at a pivotal moment as both nations celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the discussions will provide an opportunity to review “robust and multifaceted cooperation” and chart a roadmap for future collaboration in emerging sectors.
Several agreements are expected to be signed, spanning finance, digital innovation, skill development, civil aviation, maritime cooperation, and space technology. These reflect the expanding agenda since ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during PM Modi’s Singapore visit in September 2024.
In recent years, Singapore has become a central partner in India’s “Act East” Policy, particularly in areas such as advanced manufacturing, sustainability, digitalisation, and connectivity. Both sides have also invested in collaborative projects on green energy, smart cities, and financial technology, signalling long-term strategic convergence.
The visit builds on momentum from the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) held in New Delhi on August 13, where ministers reviewed progress across six pillars—advanced manufacturing, connectivity, digitalisation, healthcare, skill development, and sustainability. Several new initiatives were agreed upon, including expanding cooperation in healthcare technology and strengthening maritime security.
Analysts say Wong’s visit carries both symbolic and strategic weight, reinforcing trust and opening avenues for deeper economic and geopolitical cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.