Singapore, August 20: Indian ministers convened in Singapore to strengthen economic and strategic ties during the fourth India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMRT). They met with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to assess the progress of their comprehensive strategic partnership and explore new areas for collaboration.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman led the Indian delegation, which included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada. The leaders reviewed ongoing projects and initiatives aimed at deepening the partnership between the two nations.
The ISMRT focused on six key pillars of cooperation: advanced manufacturing, connectivity, digitization, health and medicine, skill development, and sustainable development. Discussions included evaluating progress in these areas and considering future opportunities.
According to the Finance Ministry, leaders discussed measures to enhance bilateral partnerships in economic cooperation, digital transformation, transport connectivity, skill development, and sustainable growth. They emphasized the need to boost collaboration in emerging technologies and new economic opportunities.
Earlier, on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a detailed meeting with his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan. They discussed ways to further strengthen the India-Singapore comprehensive strategic partnership and exchanged views on current global and geopolitical conditions.
Jaishankar expressed his pleasure in meeting Balakrishnan, stating, “We had an extensive discussion on deepening our comprehensive strategic partnership. His insights on the current geopolitical situation were also significant.”
Both foreign ministers laid the foundation stone for the new chancery complex of the Indian High Commission in Singapore. Jaishankar expressed confidence that this new complex would symbolize a new phase in the India-Singapore comprehensive strategic partnership and provide better services to the Indian community residing in Singapore.
Jaishankar arrived in Singapore on Tuesday to participate in the ISMRT, where Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was welcomed at Changi International Airport by Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, and India’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Dr. Shilpak Ambule.
Notably, the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable began in September 2022 in New Delhi, followed by the second meeting in August 2024 in Singapore and the third in August 2025 in New Delhi. This platform has become a vital medium for enhancing cooperation in both traditional and emerging sectors between the two countries.
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