NEW DELHI|SEPTEMBER 3,2025|SKY LINK TIMES
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is on a three-day official visit to India from September 2 to 4 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is Wong’s first visit to India as Singapore’s head of government, marking a key moment in bilateral relations as the two countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic ties.
Lawrence Wong is accompanied by his spouse, Mrs. Lawrence Wong, along with a senior delegation of Cabinet ministers and officials. His packed schedule includes bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi, a courtesy call on President Droupadi Murmu, and meetings with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and other senior leaders.
Marking Six Decades of Strong Relations
India and Singapore share a longstanding relationship rooted in trust, cultural connections, and economic cooperation. Over the past decade, ties have deepened significantly. Prime Minister Modi has visited Singapore five times since 2014, participating in bilateral talks, ASEAN-India Summits, and major regional meetings.
Notably, Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to deliver keynote addresses at the Shangri-La Dialogue (2018) and the Singapore Fintech Festival (2018), underlining Singapore’s strategic importance.
During Modi’s 2024 visit to Singapore, the two nations signed agreements on semiconductors, digital technology, healthcare, and skill development. The elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year has provided a roadmap for enhanced cooperation across diverse sectors.
Trade and Investment – A Strong Pillar
Singapore is India’s sixth-largest trade partner, with bilateral trade reaching USD 34.3 billion in FY 2024-25, a remarkable rise from USD 6.7 billion in 2004-05.
Even more significant is Singapore’s role in foreign direct investment (FDI). In FY 2024-25, it invested USD 14.94 billion in India. Cumulative inflows between 2000 and 2025 touched USD 174.88 billion, accounting for nearly 24% of total FDI. Key sectors attracting investment include services, IT, telecom, trading, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.
Currently, about 9,000 Indian companies are registered in Singapore, while over 440 Singaporean firms operate in India. Major names include DBS Bank, United Overseas Bank, Enterprise Singapore, and the Singapore Tourism Board.
Also Read : https://skylinktimes.in/pm-modi-meets-xi-jinping-in-tianjin-sco-summit/
Vibrant Indian Community in Singapore
The Indian diaspora has been a vital bridge in bilateral ties. According to the 2020 Singapore Census, people of Indian origin make up 9% of Singapore’s resident population, with many excelling in IT, finance, construction, and maritime sectors.
Singapore also has the largest concentration of IIT and IIM alumni outside India, strengthening professional and academic exchanges. Tamil is one of the country’s four official languages, while other Indian languages like Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu, Bengali, and Punjabi are taught in schools.
Indian-origin leaders in Singapore continue to be recognized for their contributions. Piyush Gupta, CEO of DBS Bank, received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2023, while Atul Temurnikar, Chairman of the Global Schools Foundation, was honored in 2025.
Looking Ahead of visit of Lawrence Wong
PM Wong’s visit is widely seen as an opportunity to further expand cooperation in trade, digital technologies, green energy, healthcare, and education, while also engaging in regional and global issues. Both leaders are expected to chart new directions in economic and strategic partnership, ensuring that India-Singapore ties remain future-ready.
As the two nations mark six decades of friendship, the visit symbolizes not just stronger government-to-government collaboration but also a deepening of people-to-people ties that bind the two societies together.
For More Info Stay Tuned: https://skylinktimes.in
