Bhubaneswar: Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Saturday said relations with India have entered “a new plane of cooperation”, and highlighted India’s emerging role as a major pole in the global economy.
Speaking to media persons at the end of his two-day Odisha visit, Shanmugaratnam stressed the strategic importance of India for Singapore’s future. “India aspires to be a pole in its own right in a multipolar world, both geopolitically and economically,” he said.
He also spoke about India’s growth prospects over the next two decades, citing its demographic advantage, development trajectory, skilled workforce and export potential. He also noted that the recent leadership transition in Singapore positively impacted bilateral relations, ensuring continuity in strengthening ties.
In response to a question on the leadership transition in Singapore last year — when Lee Hsien Loong, who was Prime Minister for 20 years, was replaced by Lawrence Wong — he said it hasn’t impacted relations with India in any way “other than positive”.
“It’s a continuous development of the relationship from one generation of leaders to the next. We keep strengthening the Singapore-India relationship, and what was done under the previous leadership continues under the new leadership,” he said.
Addressing economic cooperation, Shanmugaratnam revealed plans to revise the air services agreement between the two countries, last updated in 2005. “The flights are full, and there is scope to expand the agreement to benefit both economies,” he stated, adding that from his meeting with Indian leadership, he found there was a keenness from both sides.
The Singapore president said India shows promising potential in the aviation sector’s MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) business. He highlighted how some Singaporean companies with global business in MRO can contribute.
Shanmugaratnam underscored the importance of maintaining strong relations with both India and China. “Singapore’s prosperity depends on close engagement with our Asean neighbours, India and China,” he said, highlighting the role of these partnerships in Asia’s growth, sustainability and stability.
He also pointed to the ongoing collaboration in emerging sectors, particularly the joint development of India’s semiconductor ecosystem. “India’s priorities align very well with Singapore’s, as established under the India-Singapore ministerial round table,” Shanmugaratnam said.
He highlighted the significant contribution of the Indian diaspora to bilateral relations during his visit. He noted that the Indian community in Singapore comprises both multi-generational Singaporeans of Indian descent and recent immigrants, each playing distinct roles in strengthening bilateral ties.
Shanmugaratnam stressed that the bilateral relationship goes beyond just the Indian community, noting the importance of all Singaporeans, including non-Indians, engaging with India. “Non-Indian Singaporeans will have to take an interest in India and get excited by India with all its diversity, all its opportunities, and all its texture,” he said.