Prime Minister Modi's visit to Singapore,marks a crucial step in fortifying India’s ‘Act East’ policy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore marks a significant milestone in India's 'Act East' policy, reinforcing the strategic importance of the Southeast Asian region in India's foreign relations. Modi's Singapore visit enhanced bilateral cooperation in key areas, reflecting India's broader goals in the Indo-Pacific. Singapore occupies a pivotal position in India's 'Act East' policy, serving as a gateway to Southeast Asia and a key partner in advancing India's Indo-Pacific strategy. As the coordinator of ASEAN-India relations from 2021 to 2024, Singapore plays an instrumental role in shaping the regional dynamics between India and ASEAN, a bloc crucial for maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister Modi's visit underscores the deepening of ties between the two nations, particularly in areas such as trade, digitalisation, and sustainable development. With a trade volume reaching $36.6 billion in 2023, Singapore is India's largest trade partner in Asia. PM Modi's agenda during the visit included discussions with Singapore's senior leadership, including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, aimed at exploring new avenues for collaboration in advanced manufacturing, logistics, and commercial real estate.
The visit is expected to yield significant economic benefits, particularly in attracting foreign direct investment from Singaporean companies into India's emerging sectors. The focus on advanced manufacturing and digitalisation aligns with India's broader goal of transforming into a global manufacturing hub. Additionally, the emphasis on sustainable development highlights India's commitment to addressing global challenges such as climate change, a priority for both nations. Strategically, Singapore's role as a crucial partner in the Indo-Pacific region cannot be overstated. India's '5 S' approach-Sammaan (respect), Samvad (dialogue), Sahyog (cooperation), Shanti (peace), and Samridhi (prosperity)-forms the foundation of its Indo-Pacific engagement, with Singapore and Brunei being key players. The visit reinforces India's commitment to maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, where ASEAN plays a central role. Indeed, Prime Minister Modi's visit to Singapore is more than a bilateral engagement; it is a reaffirmation of India's commitment to strengthening ties with Southeast Asia as part of its 'Act East' policy. The discussions held during this visit are likely to pave the way for deeper economic and strategic cooperation, not just with Singapore, but across the Indo-Pacific region. As India continues to assert its role as a key player in the region, Singapore remains an indispensable partner in this endeavor, embodying the principles of dialogue, cooperation, and shared prosperity.
