INDIA - SINGAPORE DEFENCE RELATIONS

Aspect

Details

Yearly Talks

Annual discussions between the armed forces at the staff level facilitate ongoing dialogue and cooperation.

SIMBEX Naval Exercise

Following IMDEX, Indian Naval Ships Ranvijay and Kavaratti and submarine INS Sindhukesari arrived in Singapore to participate in the 30th edition of the Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) in 2023.

Multilateral Participation

Singapore participates in the multilateral Exercise MILAN hosted by the Indian Navy, as well as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).

ADDM+ and IORA Memberships

Membership in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting - Plus (ADDM+) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) provides platforms for coordinating regional positions on shared interests.

SITMEX Trilateral Naval Exercise

The trilateral naval exercise SITMEX-20, involving Singapore, Thailand, and India, concluded in the Andaman Sea.

Trilateral Naval Exercise Announcement

In June 2018, during the Shangri-La Dialogue, the Indian Prime Minister announced a trilateral naval exercise involving India, Singapore, and Thailand.

Inaugural SITMEX Exercise

The Indian Navy held the inaugural Singapore-India-Thailand Maritime Exercise (SITMEX) in September 2019 off Port Blair, with annual iterations thereafter.

SITMEX Goals

The SITMEX series aims to enhance mutual interoperability and promote best practices among the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), Indian Navy, and Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

2020 SITMEX Edition

The RSN hosted the 2020 edition of SITMEX, with the Indian Navy participating using INS Kamorta and INS Karmuk.

Other Military Exercises

Additional joint exercises include Bold Kurukshetra (Army) and Joint Military Training (Air Force).

Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

Both nations prioritize combating terrorism and extremism, recognizing the benefits of a comprehensive security cooperation framework.

Aspect

Details

Historical Ties

India was one of the first countries to recognize Singapore in 1965, when Singapore got independence. The relationship has grown stronger through high-level visits and collaborations, especially since the 1990s.

Look East Policy

Singapore has played an important role in India’s "Look East" policy, initiated in the early 1990s, aimed at enhancing India’s economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asia.

Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)

Signed in 2005, CECA with Singapore was the first such agreement to be signed by India with any country. It integrates agreements on trade in goods and services, investment protection, and economic cooperation in fields like education, intellectual property and science & technology. Today, Singapore is India’s largest ASEAN trading partner and a key source of foreign direct investment (FDI).

E.g. India's eighth-largest trading partner is Singapore. Bilateral trade increased by 18% to USD 35.59 billion in 2022–2023.

Singapore’s Contribution to India’s Growth Story

Economic Hub

Singapore is India’s largest trade and investment partner in ASEAN. Economic and commercial ties have expanded significantly.

Largest Source of FDI

Singapore is the leading source of FDI for India, accounting for around 17% of total FDI inflows since 2000. Investments from Singapore have exceeded USD 136 billion in the last 22 years.

Knowledge Exchange

Singapore is a hub for Indian talent, especially from IITs and IIMs. This facilitates knowledge exchange and strengthens India’s capabilities in multiple sectors.

Cultural Exchange

Singapore’s Indian community, constitute about 9.2 % of the total population of 5.1 million, including permanent residents. A number of cultural societies (i.e., Temple of Fine Arts, Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society, Nrityalaya, Kalamandir), promote Indian classical dance and arts.

Way Forward

Strategic Partnership

India and Singapore can further enhance strategic dialogues and collaborations in security, technology, and sustainability, particularly within the Indo-Pacific framework.

Regional Connectivity

Initiatives like the Trilateral Highway connecting India, Myanmar, and Thailand can strengthen regional connectivity, positioning India and Singapore as key ASEAN players.

Countering Chinese Influence

Collaborating more closely on shared concerns about China’s regional dominance can help promote security and stability in Southeast Asia.

Emerging Technologies

Cooperating in emerging fields such as semiconductors, green technologies, and electric mobility can open new avenues for growth, supporting sustainable development goals for both nations.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Evaluate the impact of India-Singapore defense cooperation on regional security and stability, particularly in the context of the Indo-Pacific region. (150 words)