Singapore valued partner in our journey towards Viksit Bharat: PM Modi

New Delhi, Sep 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed Singapore as a trusted partner in India’s development journey, as both countries concluded a landmark visit by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong with the adoption of a detailed roadmap for their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).

Issued as a Joint Statement at the end of Mr Wong’s three-day visit, the roadmap identifies eight priority areas of cooperation: economic ties, skills development, digitalisation, sustainability, connectivity, healthcare, people-to-people exchanges, and defence and security.

The framework is designed to guide bilateral relations over the next phase, building on the upgrade of ties to a CSP last year. On the economic front, India and Singapore agreed to launch the third review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and work toward a substantial update of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement this year. They also pledged cooperation in the semiconductor sector, next-generation industrial parks, capital market connectivity, and space collaboration.

Skilling was another major outcome, with both sides committing to set up a National Centre of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing in Chennai, alongside deeper collaboration in technical education, nursing, and state-level talent development initiatives.

Digital and technology partnerships were expanded to include cooperation in AI, quantum, cybersecurity, fintech, and paperless trade systems, while the UPI–PayNow cross-border payments link was widened with 13 more Indian banks joining. Sustainability featured prominently too, with joint work planned on green hydrogen, urban water management, civil nuclear cooperation, and food security.

In connectivity, the two sides launched a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor between Singapore and Indian ports, discussed expanding air services, and pledged to collaborate on sustainable aviation fuels and airport development. Healthcare cooperation was extended through digital health, disease surveillance, and nursing exchanges.

Defence and security ties were given sharper focus, with a reaffirmation of regular military exercises, maritime domain awareness cooperation, and joint efforts against terrorism and terror financing. Singapore acknowledged India’s interest in the Malacca Straits Patrol, while both leaders underlined their commitment to Indo-Pacific stability under ASEAN frameworks. Prime Minister Modi described the partnership as one “rooted in shared values, guided by mutual interests, and driven by a common vision for peace, progress and prosperity.”