Time for India-S'pore ties to move to next level: Delhi's top envoy

He points to technologies relevant for the future as focus areas, ahead of Modi visit

- Ravi Velloor

India's ties with Singapore have been "extremely strong" in the past two decades, but need updating to reflect contemporary realities, given the transformation in India and changes in the global landscape.

This is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has a "special sentiment" for Singapore, is visiting the Republic so early in his third term.

That is the word from Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar ahead of Mr Modi's visit to Singapore from Sept 4 to Sept 5.

Mr Modi, who was elected for a record third term in office earlier in 2024, is visiting Singapore at the invitation of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who took office in May.

They know each other well. As deputy prime minister, Mr Wong led the first India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable in 2022. Mr Modi, who was last here in 2018, will arrive after visiting Brunei.

"Just like Singapore had an opportunity in 1992 and then again in 2006, it should seize the moment and fully utilise the new landscape," Dr Jaishankar told The Straits Times. "To do that, there must be a proper appreciation of what has changed in India."

He added: "Sometimes, to be honest, I feel that impressions (of India) at your end are somewhat dated."

Dr Jaishankar, the top foreign policy figure in the world's fifthlargest economy, was referring to the aftermath of India's landmark economic reforms unveiled in 1991, and the equally significant Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with Singapore in 2005 - the most ambitious trade deal India had ever attempted.

In 1992, then Finance Minister Manmohan Singh visited Singapore to brief the leadership here on the reforms he had unveiled in the country.