Singapore PM Lawrence Wong Visits India to Boost Trade and FDI

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong concluded a pivotal three-day official visit to India from September 2 to 4, 2025, underscoring both nations’ commitment to deepening economic and strategic ties. Wong’s visit, his first as Prime Minister, coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and India, and included meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and other senior Indian officials.

Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Roadmap

The highlight of the visit was the adoption of a new roadmap for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between the two countries. This roadmap, announced after bilateral talks between Wong and Modi, aims to expand cooperation across eight priority areas: economic cooperation, digitalisation, skills development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity, defence and security, and cultural exchange. Both leaders emphasized the importance of adapting their partnership to emerging global challenges, with a focus on advanced manufacturing, green shipping, and civil nuclear energy.

Singapore reaffirmed its position as India’s largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) for seven consecutive years, with bilateral trade exceeding S$52 billion in 2023. Singaporean investments in India are set to scale up further, including a newly announced USD 470 million data center in Maharashtra and expanded collaboration in semiconductor manufacturing and digital financial infrastructure.

New Agreements and Economic Initiatives

During the visit, both sides signed five key agreements, covering fintech innovation, green and digital shipping corridors, aviation, and space cooperation. Notably, the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Reserve Bank of India agreed to collaborate on digital asset innovation and cross-border financial flows. Singapore and India also committed to a time-bound review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement, aiming to accelerate trade and market access.

The two prime ministers virtually inaugurated the second phase of the Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal at Nhava Sheva Port, operated by Singapore’s PSA International, further cementing Singapore’s role in India’s logistics and supply chain development. Both countries also agreed to support the growth of India’s semiconductor ecosystem through joint policy dialogues and workforce development initiatives.

Regional Security and People-to-People Ties

Beyond economic cooperation, Wong and Modi discussed regional and international developments, reaffirming their shared commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international order. The leaders highlighted the importance of people-to-people exchanges, including scholarships and study visits for civil servants, and pledged to enhance collaboration in education and skills development.

While official statements from both governments celebrated the visit as a milestone, independent analysts noted that the agreements reflect a pragmatic response to global economic uncertainties and shifting supply chains. Observers in India and Singapore pointed to the growing strategic alignment between the two nations, particularly in technology, sustainability, and regional security—areas likely to define the next phase of their partnership.