This week we are going to look at India’s ties with its near neighbours to the East- ASEAN countries, and particularly his visits this week.

The visit was part of a number of outreaches to the region in Modi’s new term:

– Modi has visited Brunei and Singapore, was due to visit Thailand for the BIMSTEC Summit which was cancelled as the government there was dismissed. He will travel to Laos in October for the ASEAN-India summit and East Asia Summit.

-New Delhi has hosted the PM of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh and the PM of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim in the past three months

-President Murmu travelled to Timor Leste on a visit to New Zealand and Fiji

In Brunei, the first bilateral visit by an Indian PM, Modi and the Sultan of Brunei discussed a number of issues, including:

1. Strategic issues and enhancing defence cooperation. At present they are not strategic partners but do participate in military exercises and are working on a Joint working group to institutionalise the relationship. More importantly, Modi took aim at China given its disputes in the South China Sea with Brueni and other ASEAN partners.

2. An MoU renewing space cooperation including research and training, also Brunei hosts at Telemetry Tracking Command Centre for ISRO

3. Increasing energy supplies from Brunei, which have dropped sharply as India has bumped up its intake of Russian oil. They discussed a long term contract for LNG

4. And Trade- where despite India’s trade with other ASEAN countries doubling in the past decade, trade with Brunei has actually declined- from hovering around US $500mn, it is down to about $200 million last year. In comparison, China-Brunei trade stands at about $3 billion.

Modi’s visit was a study in contrasts- given his next trip was to Singapore. PM Lawrence Wong was only sworn in a few months ago, compared to the Sultan of Brunei who is the world’s longest serving monarch- in power since 1967.

1. Singapore is India’s biggest trade partner in the ASEAN grouping with bilateral trade at about $35 billion, which has seen a 2.5 times increase since they signed the CECA agreement in 2005. About 9,000 Indian companies are registered in Singapore-

2. SINGAPORE is also India’s biggest source of FDI globally – cumulative $160 billion since 2000, although levels dropped a sharp 30% last year. More in an interview I did with Singapore FM Balakrishnan

3. India and Singapore have the strongest strategic partnership amongst ASEAN countries, highest number of military exchanges and exercises

4. The highlight of the visit was the signing of a Semiconductor Ecosystem partnership, along with MoUs on digital cooperation, health and skill development. Modi also visited Singapore’s AEM factory.

-Semiconductors are used in all electronic devices- crucial for India’s growth as a high-tech manufacturing hub

-Singapore produces 10% of semiconductors worldwide a $588 billion industry worldwide, and is a major player in IC design, packaging and wafer fabrication- an industry it has built up over 6 decades

-With land and labour issues, and US-China contestation, Singapore is looking to diversify its Semiconductor manufacturing and invest in other countries, at a time India is seeking semiconductor investment.

-The MoU says both sides seek resilient semiconductor supply chains, in a reference to de-risking US China rivalry for the region, including the US’s protectionist moves and China’s predatory practices.

What are the challenges for India in its outreach to the east?

 1. India has opted out of the ASEAN-led RCEP agreement in 2020, which has not just disappointed those countries, it has led to questions about India’s reliability in negotiations

2. India’s trade with ASEAN nations has grown to $120 billion last year, but ASEAN’s largest trading partner remains China with about $722 billion in bilateral trade and $440 billion with the US in 2022

3. Maritime connectivity to ASEAN countries is historic, but India remains hampered on land connectivity due to tensions in the North East and in Myanmar which connect India on the proposed tri-nation highway to South East Asia.

4. India has also taken a divergent position on engaging the Myanmar military junta post-Coup from ASEAN position, and invited its Minister to the BIMSTEC summit, which ASEAN doesn’t.

5. Even though the region hosts many US bases, ASEAN countries have adopted a more cautious approach on Chinese aggression against Taiwan, and on India’s participation in the Quad. New Delhi will have to coordinate its strategic position carefully if it means to stick to its motto of “ASEAN centrality” in the Indo-Pacific.

6. Communal tensions in India have been met with rising concerns in several ASEAN countries including Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia – that are also multicultural, multireligious and have large Indian diaspora.

WV Take: India’s ties with ASEAN countries date back more than 10 centuries, with engagement on trade, culture, religion, and people migrating there. India has made many restarts on its ASEAN engagement, from the Look East in the 1990s to Act East in 2015- but until it breaks the cycle of neglecting the region when other issues come up,it will be hard to sustain the obvious advantages of cooperation with them. Above all India could take a leaf from ASEAN success for groupings like SAARC and BIMSTEC.

WV Reading Recommendations:

1. THE ASEAN MIRACLE by Kishore Mahbubani, also Has the West Lost it and Living the Asian Century

2. East Of India, South Of China by Amitav Acharya

3. The Merlion And The Ashoka: Singapore-india Strategic Ties Edited by Anit Mukherjee

4. Thirty Years of ASEAN-India Relations: Towards Indo-Pacific Edited by Prabir De

5. Does ASEAN Matter?: A View from Within by Marty Natalegawa (Indonesian diplomat and former FM)

6. Chip War by Chris Miller

7. When the Chips Are Down by Pranay Kotasthane and Abhiram Manchi

 

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Delhi on Thursday after concluding his three-day visit to Singapore and Brunei.

PM Modi shared a video of his Singapore visit on X and stated, “My visit to Singapore has been a very fruitful one. It will certainly add vigour to bilateral ties and benefit the people of our nations. I thank the government and people of Singapore for their warmth.”

Earlier today, PM Modi and Singapore PM Lawrence Wong met at the Parliament House in Singapore.

The two leaders, along with their delegations, held the bilateral meeting. At their talks, both leaders reviewed the progress of India-Singapore bilateral relations. Following this, the two sides exchanged four MoUs in the areas of digital technology, semiconductors, skill development, and healthcare.

Prime Minister Modi invited PM Lawrence Wong to visit India, which he accepted. PM Modi also visited the semiconductor facility of AEM Holdings Ltd.

Singapore’s PM Lawrence Wong accompanied PM Modi during his visit to the semiconductor facility. PM Modi invited Singapore’s semiconductor companies to participate in the SEMICON INDIA exhibition set to be held in Greater Noida from September 11-13.

“It was wonderful to interact with interns from Odisha’s World Skill Center who are visiting Singapore and interns from Singapore who have been to India as a part of the CII-Enterprise Singapore India Ready Talent Programme. I also met a team of Indian engineers working at AEM Holdings. Such cooperation is indeed special and celebrates human talent as well as innovation,” PM Modi stated after visiting the facility.

The Prime Minister also called on Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam earlier today and held talks that focused on key sectors including skill development, sustainability, technology, innovation, and connectivity. The talks between the two leaders focused on the full range of bilateral ties between India and Singapore.

PM Modi and PM Wong acknowledged India and Singapore’s shared history, long tradition of friendship based on trust and mutual respect, and extensive cooperation across a wide range of areas. They reviewed and expressed satisfaction over the progress in the bilateral relationship, in the areas of political, economic, security, technology, education, people-to-people and cultural links.

It is interesting to note that India and Singapore will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year. Against this backdrop, both Prime Ministers agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level of a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’, to deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation.

Before his visit to Singapore, PM Modi was on an official visit to Brunei. PM Modi held “wide-ranging” talks with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan. During their talks, both leaders discussed ways to further cement bilateral ties.

In a post on X, PM Modi stated, “Delighted to meet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Our talks were wide-ranging and included ways to further cement bilateral ties between our nations. We are going to further expand trade ties, commercial linkages and people-to-people exchanges.”

PM Modi inaugurated the new Chancery of the High Commission of India, in Brunei’s capital city Bandar Seri Begawan.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the latter’s ceremonial reception, at Parliament House, in Singapore.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (September 5, 2024) held a productive meeting with his Singapore counterpart Lawrence Wong during which they elevated the bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Mr. Modi is in Singapore on a two-day visit at the invitation of Mr. Wong.

Ahead of the talks with Mr. Wong, Mr. Modi received a red carpet-welcome at the Singapore Parliament House. He also signed the visitor’s book there.

“A new chapter in – ties: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established. PM @narendramodi and PM @LawrenceWongST held a productive meeting in Singapore today,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X after the meeting.

“The leaders agreed to elevate the – ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They extensively reviewed various facets of the bilateral relationship covering areas of Advanced Manufacturing, Connectivity, Digitalisation, Healthcare & Medicine, Skills Development and Sustainability,” he said.

The meeting between the two leaders comes days after Mr. Wong took over and Mr. Modi began his third term as prime minister.

The two leaders also oversaw the exchange of four MoUs after the talks.

Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi will also call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

He would call on Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. Mr. Lee will host a lunch for Mr. Modi.

Mr. Modi will also meet with Singaporean business leaders and interact with those in the country’s semiconductor ecosystem.

Mr. Modi and Mr. Wong will also visit a semiconductor manufacturing facility.

Mr. Modi flew to Singapore on Wednesday after wrapping his visit to Brunei, the first bilateral visit there by an Indian prime minister.

He was accorded a warm welcome by the Indian community on his arrival.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival on an official visit to Singapore, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday (September 3, 2024) said the time is ripe for the two countries to take their bilateral relationship to the next level.

“Given the transformation underway in India and the changes in the world, they need to become more contemporary. In many ways, that is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen to visit Singapore so early in his third term,” The Straits Times quoted Mr. Jaishankar as saying in an interview.

He said that India and Singapore’s bilateral ties “have been extremely strong in the last two decades”.

Just like Singapore had an opportunity in 1992 and then again in 2006, it should seize the moment and fully utilise the new landscape, the Minister said.

“Sometimes, to be honest, I feel that impressions at your end are somewhat dated,” Mr. Jaishankar pointed out.

“In India, we are using the achievements of the last decade as the springboard to accelerate national growth and modernisation,” the Minister said.

Beyond the bilateral ties, there is also the issue of closer collaboration in a volatile and uncertain world. “In this regard, we must recognise that ours is a partnership based on a high degree of trust and understanding,” the Minister said.

“These characteristics enable us to share assessments and explore our convergences,” he added.

The Prime Minister has always had a special sentiment for Singapore and that leadership connect will matter more than ever before, underscored Mr. Jaishankar who has served as India’s High Commissioner to Singapore and has a very good understanding of the city-state.

Responding to a question as to where India would like to take the bilateral relationship, the Minister said, “We have come a long way since then. As I pointed out, the time is ripe to move to the next level of our ties, reflecting current realities in both countries, as well as the state of the world.” Where Singapore’s approach to India is concerned, it could start with the appreciation of the last decade of growth, recovery from Covid and the country’s rapid digitalisation, while also taking into account the advances in infrastructure, the focus on manufacturing and the availability of talent, the Minister said.

These issues were also discussed at the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable last week — a preparatory to PM Modi’s visit to the city-state.

“I would particularly single out those technologies promising for the future such as semiconductors, green technologies and electric mobility. We also need to collaboratively think about the future of connectivity and energy flows,” Mr. Jaishankar stressed.

The Minister also drew on the Covid experience to flag India’s relevance to food and health security, saying: “As regards the global scenario, we have built on the ‘Act East’ policy to now have a full-fledged Indo-Pacific commitment.” Mr. Jaishankar said there is a new equilibrium in the making and India will certainly play its part. “This is very much in the interest of Singapore and ASEAN.” “In an era where we will witness deficits in regard to global commons, our relationship can make a bigger difference,” he said.

The Minister also commented on a perception that India’s principal focus in its extended neighbourhood is now the Gulf, not ASEAN. “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.” Mr. Jaishankar underscored the fact that India — 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.” The Minister also elaborated on Singapore being once the springboard of India’s ‘Look 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.” The ‘Act East’ policy is certainly very active for a variety of reasons, he stressed, adding 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.

PM Modi will travel to Singapore on Wednesday (September 4, 2024).

He said he looked forward to meeting President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong in Singapore.

PM Modi will also meet leaders of Singapore’s business community.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Singapore in the first week of September, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Friday. The visit will be crucial in further strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

“PM Modi will visit Singapore on September 4 and September 5, 2024, at the invitation of the PM, his excellency Lawrence Wong,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

“The leaders will review the progress of India–Singapore Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. During the visit, Prime Minister will call on President of Singapore H.E. Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam and interact with Singaporean leadership. Prime Minister will also meet with business leaders from Singapore,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.

PM Modi’s Singapore visit was previously mentioned by Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan after senior ministers of India and Singapore concluded a high-level meeting to further their strategic ties.

A four-member Indian delegation, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Railways and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, recently attended the second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) in Singapore.

“A country with more than 1.4 billion people is now embarking on a major upgrade of its aviation sector. This is a once in a two, three-decade opportunity, and it’s good that we are, in a sense, in the front seat and have a chance (to collaborate),” said Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan after the meeting.

During the multi-ministerial meeting, the two countries covered how to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as digital technology, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity, and manufacturing.

“Glad that progress has been made on several fronts since our last meeting. And new ideas for cooperation are being pursued, including in advanced manufacturing and connectivity. These initiatives will pave the way for closer strategic cooperation and partnership between India and Singapore,” said Singapore PM Lawrence Wong after meeting the Indian ministers on Monday.

In 2023-24, bilateral trade between India and Singapore was $35.61 billion, making Singapore India’s sixth largest global trade partner. 

PM Modi will be visiting Singapore after a visit to Brunei on September 3-4. PM Modi’s visit to Brunei will be the “first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian PM to Brunei and will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei,” says Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

“These visits will further strengthen India’s cooperation with Brunei and Singapore both bilaterally and within the regional and multilateral frameworks,” said the Ministry of External Affairs.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Singapore in the first week of September, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Friday. The visit will be crucial in further strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

“PM Modi will visit Singapore on September 4 and September 5, 2024, at the invitation of the PM, his excellency Lawrence Wong,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

“The leaders will review the progress of India–Singapore Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. During the visit, Prime Minister will call on President of Singapore H.E. Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam and interact with Singaporean leadership. Prime Minister will also meet with business leaders from Singapore,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.

PM Modi’s Singapore visit was previously mentioned by Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan after senior ministers of India and Singapore concluded a high-level meeting to further their strategic ties.

A four-member Indian delegation, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Railways and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, recently attended the second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) in Singapore.

“A country with more than 1.4 billion people is now embarking on a major upgrade of its aviation sector. This is a once in a two, three-decade opportunity, and it’s good that we are, in a sense, in the front seat and have a chance (to collaborate),” said Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan after the meeting.

During the multi-ministerial meeting, the two countries covered how to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as digital technology, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity, and manufacturing.

“Glad that progress has been made on several fronts since our last meeting. And new ideas for cooperation are being pursued, including in advanced manufacturing and connectivity. These initiatives will pave the way for closer strategic cooperation and partnership between India and Singapore,” said Singapore PM Lawrence Wong after meeting the Indian ministers on Monday.

In 2023-24, bilateral trade between India and Singapore was $35.61 billion, making Singapore India’s sixth largest global trade partner. 

PM Modi will be visiting Singapore after a visit to Brunei on September 3-4. PM Modi’s visit to Brunei will be the “first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian PM to Brunei and will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei,” says Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

“These visits will further strengthen India’s cooperation with Brunei and Singapore both bilaterally and within the regional and multilateral frameworks,” said the Ministry of External Affairs.