La relation forte et multiforme entre l'Inde et Singapour, couvrant les engagements économiques, politiques et culturels, a reçu un coup de pouce majeur lors de la récente visite du président de Singapour, Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
The recent maiden visit of Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, from January 14 to 18, 2025, signified more than just a ceremonial occasion marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore. It demonstrated a robust and evolving partnership between India and Singapore.

This relationship has consistently been characterized by natural friendship, mutual trust, and shared values, presenting a model of bilateral cooperation that other nations would do well to emulate. As we analyze this partnership, it becomes evident that the India-Singapore relationship is not merely strategic in nature but pivotal for fostering regional stability and economic growth in the Indo-Pacific. 

India and Singapore elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2024 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the island nation in Southeast Asia. President Shanmugaratnam and President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a commemorative logo incorporating India's national flower, the lotus, and Singapore's national flower, the orchid, symbolizing not only shared heritage but also mutual aspirations.

Such symbolic gestures are foundational to cultivating enduring relationships; they also express the collaborative spirit that drives both countries towards greater synergy.

Singapore’s strategic importance
India’s Act East Policy inherently acknowledges Singapore’s strategic role as a regional gateway and a key partner within the ASEAN framework. Given the geopolitical realities of the Indo-Pacific region, Singapore's position as a cornerstone of India's diplomatic strategy needs to be noted.

The relationship extends beyond economic transactions; it speaks for a mutual commitment to fostering peace, prosperity, and security in a region fraught with various challenges.

The geographical and strategic positioning of Singapore offers India an unparalleled opportunity for enhanced connectivity and economic integration with Southeast Asia. 

Critics often argue that the India-Singapore relationship has become dependent on trade and investment. However, this perspective fails to appreciate the multifaceted nature of their partnership.

Both nations have explored collaboration across innumerable sectors, including advanced manufacturing, digitalization, healthcare, sustainability, and education. The establishment of the Ministerial Roundtable mechanism underscores strong commitment to institutionalizing dialogue on these critical issues. This institutional framework is an essential mechanism for addressing pressing global challenges through cooperative action.

Strong commitment to development and collaboration 
During his latest visit, President Shanmugaratnam articulated Singapore’s ambition to deepen cooperation in emerging sectors and expand existing ties. He noted, this partnership has the potential to take on a ‘new trajectory.’ Addressing logistics, connectivity, petrochemicals, and aerospace, Singapore's aspirations resonate with India’s own quest for industrial advancement and technological leadership.

In today's rapidly evolving global economy, such alignment of interests is crucial. The very fact that Singapore aims to assist India in building its semiconductor ecosystem is a testament of the profound economic interdependence that defines this relationship.

Sustainability is a significant pillar within this partnership. President Shanmugaratnam’s mention of developing net-zero industrial parks and a potential renewable energy corridor reflects a forward-thinking approach vital in addressing global climate challenges. It demonstrates a shared commitment to responsible development — a moral indication that should drive all future collaborations. 

In the area of skills development, Singapore’s ongoing commitment to training a diverse workforce in India is noteworthy. Education is a fundamental bedrock for any thriving economy. By continuing to train Indian workers, Singapore is not just investing in human capital; it is fortifying its own future economic collaborations in a rapidly changing world. Such investments manifest a forward-looking perspective central to the economies of both countries.

The Singaporean President also praised India’s transformation in the era of digitalization and mentioned that it is India’s ‘collective ability and ambition’ that has strengthened India’s position in the global arena. The speech by President Shanmugaratnam at the Rashtrapati Bhavan reflected the richness achieved by the bilateral relations between India and Singapore. 

The visit to Odisha by the Singaporean President, which took place as part of his itinerary, adds another layer of depth and significance. It underscores Singapore's strategic pivot to the states within India that have previously been overlooked, such as Odisha and Assam, reflecting a broader intent to harness untapped potential across the subcontinent. By fostering collaborations in these states, Singapore envisages not merely an economic partnership but an inclusive developmental framework that encompasses holistic growth across all regions of India. 

The President and the First Lady of Singapore visited the Sun Temple in Konark and Raghurajpur artists’ village in Odisha and recalled the shared cultural heritage between India and Singapore. The word Singapura (the lion’s city) is derived from two Sanskrit words Simha (lion) and Pura (city) which also reflects the deep cultural and civilizational bonding between India and Singapore. 

Natural partnership with shared interests and values
This visit demonstrates that Singapore too resonates with Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Purvodaya’ vision to develop the eastern region of our country. The Singaporean President signed a number of MOUs during his visit to Odisha. 

These are in areas of green energy, industrial park, petrochemical complexes and in skill development especially in the semiconductor sphere and in other skill development areas. This strategic focus on sectors essential for global supply chains speaks volumes about their foresight and awareness of impending global technological trends.

While critics may suggest that such focused collaborations yield uneven benefits, the reality is that they create avenues for mutual growth, driving both countries toward beneficial positions in global value chains.

It is imperative to emphasize that the partnership between India and Singapore is underpinned by shared history. India was among the first nations to recognize Singapore’s independence in 1965, and this enduring relationship has evolved to encompass numerous dimensions—political, economic, and cultural.

Conclusion
The historical foundations of the India-Singapore bilateral partnership are the foundation of the modern-day diplomatic endeavours between them. President Shanmugaratnam aptly described the partnership as “natural,” stemming from shared interests and values, a statement that outlines the underlying rationale for this enduring collaboration.

In summary, the recent visit of President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to India not only marks a commemorative occasion but encompasses a call to action for both nations to deepen their engagement across various sectors of mutual interest.

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership represents a unique opportunity to cultivate greater connectivity, foster innovation, and enhance the socio-economic conditions of both populations. As both countries stand on the threshold of evolving global dynamics, it becomes increasingly clear that the India-Singapore relationship is a strategic necessity for regional stability and prosperity.

Both nations must seize the moment to fortify their partnership, ensuring that the next decade builds upon the stable legacy of cooperation that has defined their relationship for the past sixty years. Thus, it is safe to say that India-Singapore bilateral partnership is aimed at a transformative future, grounded in shared visions and aspirations.

*** The author is Consultant, ASEAN-India Centre, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi; views expressed here are her own.

(This article first appeared in INN)