India and Singapore recently held the 2nd round of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) in Singapore to review the progress of their strategic partnership. The meeting was attended by several key ministers from both countries, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal from India, and various Singaporean ministers such as Gan Kim Yong and Vivian Balakrishnan.
During the meeting, both nations decided to add two new pillars, ‘Advanced Manufacturing and Connectivity,’ to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. They reviewed the progress of the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership, focusing on areas such as Digitalization, Skills Development, Sustainability, Healthcare and Medicine, which were identified during the 1st ISMR meeting in New Delhi. The ministers deliberated on ideas to expand bilateral cooperation and agreed to hold the next round of ISMR in India at a mutually convenient time.
In addition to the official meetings, the Indian Ministers also called on Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during their visit. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the visit reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to further strengthen their multifaceted partnership. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong described the India-Singapore Ministerial Dialogue as an important platform for strengthening bilateral ties.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed gratitude to Singapore PM Lawrence Wong for the fruitful meeting, which demonstrated that ties between India and Singapore are on a sound footing. Similarly, EAM Jaishankar thanked the Singapore Ministers for their commitment to deepen ties between the two nations. The ISMR serves as a crucial platform for both countries to discuss and advance their strategic partnership in various key areas, reflecting the strong and growing relationship between India and Singapore.
Overall, the recent India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable in Singapore was a significant step towards enhancing the strategic partnership between the two nations. The addition of new pillars such as Advanced Manufacturing and Connectivity demonstrates the commitment of both countries to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. The meeting provided an opportunity for key ministers from India and Singapore to discuss and review the progress of their partnership in various sectors, including Digitalization, Skills Development, Sustainability, Healthcare, and Medicine.
The visit of the Indian Ministers to Singapore also included calls on the Singapore President and Prime Minister, further reinforcing the commitment of both sides to deepen their partnership. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the importance of the visit in reaffirming the strong and multifaceted partnership between India and Singapore. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong praised the India-Singapore Ministerial Dialogue as a crucial platform for strengthening bilateral ties, highlighting the significance of ongoing discussions and collaborations between the two nations.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and EAM Jaishankar expressed their appreciation for the fruitful discussions with their Singaporean counterparts and reiterated their commitment to further enhancing ties between India and Singapore. The ISMR will continue to play a vital role in facilitating dialogue and cooperation between the two nations, allowing them to explore new opportunities for collaboration and partnerships in various sectors.India and Singapore share a long-standing relationship that is built on mutual trust, cooperation, and shared values. The recent ISMR in Singapore marks another step in this partnership, further solidifying the ties between the two nations and opening up new avenues for collaboration and growth.
