India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has asserted that Singapore remains central to India’s Act East Policy, calling the island nation a critical partner in the country’s growing engagement with Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific. The comments came during his official visit to Singapore this week, ahead of his high-level diplomatic meetings in China, reported The Hindu.
Strengthening the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership
During his time in Singapore, Jaishankar met with several top leaders including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, and officials from Temasek Holdings. He emphasized the strength of the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and noted that it has become the foundation for India’s deeper regional outreach. Singaporean leaders, in turn, described India as a rising power in a multipolar world and a valuable partner in ensuring economic and geopolitical balance.
Boosting Economic and Investment Ties
One of the major outcomes of Jaishankar’s visit was the announcement of the upcoming third India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable to be held in New Delhi. The roundtable aims to enhance cooperation in areas like fintech, digital economy, semiconductor manufacturing, infrastructure, and skills development. Jaishankar also briefed officials at Temasek on India’s rapid economic transformation and invited greater Singaporean investment in India’s emerging sectors. He highlighted India’s digital public infrastructure and startup ecosystem as key opportunities for future collaboration.
Singapore’s Strategic Role in the Indo-Pacific
Singapore’s geographic location and maritime importance make it a vital node in India’s Act East framework. Jaishankar stressed that the city-state is not just a strategic partner but a gateway to ASEAN and a vital ally in promoting rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. As geopolitical competition intensifies in the region, India and Singapore are aligning closely to ensure maritime stability, economic security, and diplomatic engagement.
Promoting a Multipolar Regional Order
In his discussions with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Jaishankar acknowledged the shifting global landscape and the importance of strengthening multipolarity. The two leaders discussed regional mechanisms like ASEAN, IPEF, and the QUAD, all of which India and Singapore support. The shared goal is to ensure a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, while also deepening bilateral ties based on mutual respect and economic trust.
Jaishankar Heads to China for SCO Meet
After concluding his Singapore visit, Jaishankar departed for Tianjin, China, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting. This marks his first visit to mainland China since the 2020 border standoff in Ladakh. During this leg of the tour, Jaishankar is expected to meet Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and reiterate India’s support for China’s SCO presidency, while also addressing issues related to bilateral tensions and regional cooperation.
The timing of the visit is diplomatically significant. While India and China have held several rounds of talks since the border clash, full disengagement remains elusive. Jaishankar’s participation in the SCO summit signals India’s intent to continue engaging through multilateral forums, even as it maintains its strategic autonomy and national security priorities.
A Multi-Layered Foreign Policy at Work
Jaishankar’s twin visits to Singapore and China reflect India’s strategic balancing act—strengthening like-minded partnerships in Southeast Asia while keeping diplomatic lines open with Beijing. Singapore’s active role in India’s Act East Policy is a reminder that New Delhi views regional diplomacy not just through the lens of security, but also economic growth and people-to-people ties.
India’s focus on deepening ties with ASEAN, building connectivity with the Indo-Pacific, and pushing forward with the G20 and SCO platforms showcases a foreign policy rooted in pragmatism, ambition, and regional leadership.
Photo Credit: The Hindu
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