Singapore’s Defence Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen has begun a three-day visit to India, co-chairing the sixth India-Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue with his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh. The summit, held in New Delhi, marks a significant step in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Act-East Policy and Bilateral Ties
Welcoming the Singapore delegation, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the growing closeness between India and Singapore. “This meeting comes as we celebrate a decade of India’s Act-East Policy, in which Singapore has played a crucial role in fostering economic cooperation, cultural ties, and strategic connectivity,” Singh noted.
Building on Singh’s remarks, Dr. Ng Eng Hen acknowledged India’s longstanding presence in the region, saying, “From Singapore’s perspective, India has always been part of the East. Whether you choose to act or look, we consider you part of the area.” He also reflected on the early cooperation between the two countries, recalling India’s support in developing Singapore’s armed forces.
Enhanced Defence Cooperation
Dr. Ng Eng Hen also praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore earlier this year, calling it an excellent meeting that reinforced bilateral relations. Both defence ministers expressed confidence that the ongoing dialogue would further boost cooperation in defence and regional security.
A day prior, the Ministry of Defence announced the sixth India-Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue. The release highlighted the wide-ranging military exchanges, high-level visits, training programs, and cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations between the two nations. The Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, initiated in 2016, has since become a key platform for enhancing bilateral defence ties.
As both sides concluded their discussions, the ministers expressed optimism that the outcomes would provide new momentum to the entire spectrum of India-Singapore bilateral engagements, while also strengthening the regional security architecture.