Singapore President’s Visit to India 2025: Strengthening Strategic Ties

Posted by Written by Archana Rao Reading Time: 4 minutes

Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s maiden visit to India marks an important milestone in the diplomatic relationship between India and Singapore. The visit symbolized a deepening partnership as India and Singapore explore new avenues for collaboration in emerging sectors.

During his first official visit to India, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam noted the deepening ties between the two countries, which have entered a new phase of collaboration.

President Tharman’s five-day state visit from January 14-18, 2025, also put the spotlight on Singapore’s interest in expanding cooperation into emerging areas, such as advanced manufacturing, semiconductor development, and next-generation industrial parks.

According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), discussions during the visit centered on strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

The India-Singapore Strategic Partnership (SP), established in 2015, aimed to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations. In September 2024, this relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), reflecting a commitment to deeper collaboration.

The CSP focuses on key areas such as trade, defense, technology, and people-to-people connections, building on decades of strong bilateral ties. Singapore, as one of India’s largest trading and investment partners, plays a critical role in driving India’s economic growth.

President Tharman’s 2025 visit highlighted opportunities for innovation-driven industrial parks and enhanced collaboration in the digital domain, showcasing the partnership’s alignment with emerging global trends. Additionally, the CSP also reinforces shared goals in regional stability, aligning with India’s Act East Policy and Singapore’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific region.

Odisha state partners with Singapore firms to boost innovation

On January 17, 2025, the state government of Odisha signed eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Singapore-based companies, focusing on diverse sectors including skill development, semiconductors, sustainable energy, green hydrogen, industrial park development, insure-tech, and urban planning.

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The MoUs were formalized in the presence of Singapore President Tharman and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Expressing optimism, Majhi anticipated that the collaboration will attract global investments and accelerate Odisha’s transformation into a hub for technology, education, and renewable energy.

Key agreements for skilling and technological advancement

In a move to enhance technical education and skilling, the Skill Development and Technical Education (SD&TE) department has partnered with ITE Education Services (ITEES), a subsidiary of Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education. This collaboration aims to expand the World Skill Centre (WSC) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha’s capital, and establish a global hub for IT and IT-enabled services in emerging areas like cybersecurity, cloud computing, blockchain, IoT, and data science. The partnership will also introduce semiconductor-related training programs and establish zonal Industrial Training Insitutes (ITIs) across the state, supported by robust industry engagement. The agreement is valid for 5 years.

Driving innovation in sustainable energy

A tripartite agreement between Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore, GRIDCO Limited, and IIT-Bhubaneswar was inked to advance research and development (R&D) in sustainable energy technologies. This initiative aims to promote green energy solutions and enhance Odisha’s renewable energy capacity.

Promoting green hydrogen and industrial development

Singapore-based energy and urban development company Sembcorp Industries signed two non-binding MoUs with the Odisha state government. One agreement, between Sembcorp Green Hydrogen India Private Limited (SGHIPL) and Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation Limited (Ipicol), focuses on exploring a green hydrogen production facility with a capacity of 720,000 tonnes annually, expected to create over 2,000 jobs during its operational phase. Another MoU between Sembcorp Development Ltd. and Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) aims to assess the potential for establishing an industrial park in the state.

Building competence in insure-tech and urban planning

The Odisha state government’s Electronics and IT (E&IT) department signed an agreement with the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN), Singapore, to set up a Global Capability Centre (GCC) for the Insure-Tech industry. Additionally, Surbana Jurong Infrastructure Pte Ltd signed two separate MoUs with IDCO and the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA). These agreements focus on strategic positioning for the Odisha Petrochemical and Petroleum Investment Region (PCPIR) and creating a new city development plan near the state capital, with implementation planned over the next year.

Reinforcing bilateral ties

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President Tharman’s visit highlights Singapore’s integral role in India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision. Tharman and Indian President Draupadi Murmu have emphasized the deep-rooted ties between India and Singapore, built on historical connections and mutual respect. Key areas of long-term cooperation include advanced manufacturing, digitalization, healthcare, and connectivity.

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the two leaders unveiled a specially designed logo symbolizing the enduring friendship and shared values between the nations.

Opportunities in semiconductors

India and Singapore are paving the way for enhanced collaboration in critical sectors. During the visit, President Tharman highlighted plans to establish a “renewable energy corridor” and deepen cooperation in emerging technologies and industries.

He also emphasized the potential for a “data corridor” linking Gujarat’s GIFT City with Singapore. This initiative would facilitate secure and trusted data exchange between financial institutions in the respective regions, reflecting a broader commitment to strengthening digital and financial sector collaboration.

Expanding collaborative horizons

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with President Tharman to review and enhance the CSP. The leaders explored new areas of cooperation, building on momentum from the second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) and Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Singapore in 2024.

Additionally, President Tharman engaged with several Indian ministers, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Discussions covered advancements in transport, health, commerce, and digital connectivity, underscoring the expanding scope of bilateral cooperation.

A vision for the future

As India and Singapore commemorate 6 decades of diplomatic relations, the latest round of diplomatic talks reinforces their shared vision for progress, sustainability, and technological innovation. Now, with a focus on semiconductors, advanced industries, R&D and upskilling, the partnership continues to evolve, adapting to the dynamic global landscape.

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