In an interview with The Straits Times, EAM Jaishankar highlights cooperation in technologies of the future
The time is ripe for India and Singapore to move to the level of their ties, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said ahead of the scheduled visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 4-5, 2024.
 
In an interview with Singapore’s The Straits Times publication, he noted that this would reflect the “current realities” in both the countries, as well as the state of the world. Singapore’s approach to India could focus on the last decade of growth, recovery from Covid-19, rapid digitalization, advances in infrastructure and manufacturing, as well as the availability of talent, EAM Jaishankar noted.
 
During the course of his conversation with the publication, EAM Jaishankar, who shared the interview on social media platform X, referred to the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable held last week and said these areas were discussed during the talks.
 
He singled out technologies that are promising for the future, like semiconductors, green technologies, and electric mobilities. “We also need to collaboratively think about the future of connectivity and energy flows,” he added.
 
‘India-Singapore Ties Need to Become More Contemporary’

 Asked how India views the bilateral relationship with Singapore, EAM Jaishankar said they had been extremely strong in the past two decades. He also referred to the transformation underway in India and the changes in the world to highlight the need for ties to become more contemporary. “In many ways, that is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen to visit Singapore so early into his third term,” The Straits Times quoted him as saying.
 
EAM Jaishankar also spoke about India’s rapid growth and modernization. “In India, we are using the achievements of the last decade as the springboard to accelerate national growth and development. Just like Singapore had an opportunity in 1992 and then again in 2006, it should seize the moment and fully utilize the new landscape. To do that, there must be a proper appreciation of what has changed in India,” he pointed out.
 
EAM Jaishankar responded to a question on a perception that India’s principal focus in its extended neighbourhood is now the Gulf, not ASEAN saying, “I would not take an ‘either-or’ approach. Certainly, in the last decade, India’s ties with Gulf nations have really taken off.”
 
“Earlier governments used to view them more narrowly from the perspective of trade, energy and diaspora. In contrast, the Modi government’s policies have extended to investments, technology, security and connectivity,” he pointed out.
 
“We definitely feel that the contributions of our community are more strongly recognised (in the Gulf). Both the economic and demographic complementarities are today coming into much greater play. But because of this, I would not draw any conclusions in regard to ASEAN. In fact, our ties have deepened as well in this very period,” EAM Jaishankar explained.
 
He went on to underscore the fact that India — as the most populous country and currently the fifth-largest economy — will necessarily have multi-directional engagements. “The world is not a zero-sum game for us,” he noted.
 
EAM Jaishankar also spoke about Singapore’s importance in India’s ‘Act East’ policy. “Obviously, Singapore, which was at the core of our ‘Look East’ policy, has an equally central role in the ‘Act East’ policy as well. If you look at the new domains that reflect this evolution, Singapore’s partnership in security, connectivity, technology and sustainability is evident,” he stated.
 
Maintaining that the ‘Act East’ policy was “certainly very active for a variety of reasons”, he noted that Southeast Asia itself has much-untapped potential and its demographics and growth prospects make it a long-term partner. “Imagine for example what a change the Trilateral Highway (plan to connect India with Myanmar and Thailand) can make when completed,” he pointed out.
 
“It is also a relationship which is indispensable for India’s Indo-Pacific engagement. I would confidently predict a bright future,” EAM Jaishankar remarked.