Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will visit India on January 15, marking a significant milestone as the two nations celebrate the 60th year of diplomatic relations. The visit aims to elevate India-Singapore ties to new heights, with a focus on non-traditional areas of cooperation such as semiconductors, energy, industrial parks, and skills development.
The visit follows a series of diplomatic engagements over the past year, including the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore in September 2024. During that visit, the relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, making Singapore the second country after Australia to share this level of engagement with India.
To commemorate six decades of partnership, the two nations plan to unveil a special logo celebrating this milestone. Singapore also seeks to solidify ties with a series of high-level visits, including an upcoming visit by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong later this year.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s visit will prioritize non-traditional areas of collaboration. Discussions are expected to yield agreements on semiconductor development and skill-building initiatives. Singapore is already working closely with the Tata Group on semiconductor ventures, building on an ecosystem partnership signed last year.
Energy and industrial parks are also key focus areas, with Singapore looking to diversify its investments across India. Southern states such as Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have historically attracted significant investments, but Singapore is now exploring opportunities in Odisha, including plans to collaborate with the state government.
President Tharman will meet Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. He will also engage with economists, academics, and officials from NITI Aayog. The President is scheduled to visit Odisha, where he will hold talks with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, tour the World Skills Centre in Bhubaneswar, and explore avenues for investment.
The visit will also focus on improved connectivity, with discussions on expanding trade routes and investment in India’s northeastern states. Singapore has already begun importing fresh fruits from Assam via cargo flights and plans to increase its engagement in the region.
During the visit, Singapore will honor Tarun Dass, former director of the Confederation of Indian Industry, with its highest civilian honor, recognizing his contributions to bilateral ties. This distinction was previously awarded to the late Ratan Tata.
Singapore remains one of India’s largest foreign direct investors, contributing $12 billion in 2024. Diplomatic sources anticipate even higher investments this year, driven by collaborations in semiconductors and renewable energy.
As part of his itinerary, President Tharman is expected to tour Bharat Biotech, UNESCO heritage sites, and other notable institutions. These engagements underscore Singapore’s commitment to a robust and diversified partnership with India, paving the way for long-term economic and cultural collaboration.
This visit is expected to solidify Singapore’s role as a key partner in India’s economic growth and highlight the shared vision of both nations in addressing global challenges through innovation and cooperation.