India and Singapore Agree to Enhance Bilateral Ties
The 16th India-Singapore Defence Working Group reviewed the progress of decisions taken during the last Defence Ministers’ Dialogue and various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the ongoing defence collaboration and identified means to enhance existing areas of cooperation, particularly in training, capability building, industry and technology, maritime security, and multinational cooperation.
The meeting also explored emerging areas of cooperation and issues pertaining to global commons. As 2025 marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore, both co-chairs agreed to further step up defence cooperation.
The meeting took place in Singapore on September 4, 2025. Co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence, India, Amitabh Prasad, and Director, Policy Office, Ministry of Defence, Singapore, Col Daxson Yap, the meeting aimed to advance ongoing defence cooperation initiatives between the two nations.
The meeting is significant in the context of India’s Act East policy, where Singapore has played a key role in promoting economic cooperation, cultural ties, and strategic connectivity in the region. During the visit, Amitabh Prasad met Deputy Secretary Policy BG Fredrick Choo and visited the Information Fusion Centre and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Cyber Security and Information Centre of Excellence at Changi Naval Base.
The discussions were guided by the latest Joint Statement on the Roadmap for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Singapore, issued after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong, in New Delhi. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to exchange defence perspectives and accelerate the momentum of initiatives covering the entire spectrum of multifaceted bilateral defence engagements and regional security architecture.
