External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr. S. Jaishankar paid an official visit to Singapore from 23-25 March 2024, as first leg of his visit to Singapore, Philippines and Malaysia. EAM had several bilateral engagements with the leadership and senior Ministers of the Cabinet. He called on H.E. Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore and met H.E. Mr. Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. They exchanged views on deepening engagement in the identified pillars of our cooperation including fintech, digitalization, green economy, skills development and food security. EAM also met H.E. Mr. Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security.
EAM held comprehensive discussions with H.E. Mr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Foreign Affairs on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. EAM also had a productive meeting with H.E. Mr. Gan Kim Yong, Minister of Trade & Industry, focused on bilateral co-operation in Trade and Investment, green energy and food security. He also met H.E. Mr. K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law to exchange views on strengthening our bilateral partnership.
EAM paid homage to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the INA marker in Singapore. He met members of the Indian community and interacted with them. He also witnessed a short video on the ‘Saga of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’, created by Indian Community members. EAM also attended an event organised by the ISAS (Institute of South Asian Studies), where he interacted with think tanks and policy makers.
The visit presented an opportunity to further deepen the Strategic Partnership between India and Singapore and to take stock of progress in several areas of cooperation. Singapore is also the current country coordinator for India at ASEAN and was invited as a Guest Country during India’s Presidency of the G20 in 2023.