New Delhi — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India and Singapore shared common concerns on terrorism, calling on all humanitarian nations to unite against the threat.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Modi thanked him for his condolences over the Pahalgam terror attack and Singapore’s support in India’s fight against terrorism, describing it as a reflection of the depth of bilateral ties.
Welcoming Wong on his first visit to India since assuming office, Modi said the occasion was significant as the two countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations this year. He recalled that ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during his 2024 Singapore visit, noting that trade and investment cooperation has since gained momentum.
“Singapore is now our largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, with major investments flowing into India,” Modi said, stressing that the relationship was “a partnership with purpose, rooted in shared values, guided by mutual interests, and driven by a common vision for peace, progress and prosperity.”
Both leaders identified technology and innovation as key pillars of the partnership, announcing deeper collaboration in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and digital technologies. Modi said a new agreement in the space sector would mark “a fresh chapter” in bilateral cooperation, while Wong highlighted that more than 20 Singapore-made satellites had already been launched by India.
On trade, Modi said India and Singapore would undertake a time-bound review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and ASEAN free trade pact to accelerate growth. He also emphasized Gujarat’s GIFT City as a bridge connecting the two nations’ financial markets. Wong, noting that Singapore accounts for nearly a quarter of India’s foreign direct investment inflows, called the economic partnership “wide-ranging and diverse.”
Both leaders reaffirmed the centrality of people-to-people ties, with Wong underlining the importance of civil service exchanges and Modi emphasizing cooperation in new areas such as green shipping, advanced manufacturing, skilling, civil nuclear energy, and urban water management.
Praising India’s economic growth, Wong remarked, “Over the past decade, India has made remarkable advances under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. India is now the fourth-largest economy in the world, with a dynamism felt far beyond its borders.”
The two sides also pledged to work closely with ASEAN to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
