Singapore and India Extend Bilateral Agreement on Joint Military Training
At the recent 6th India-Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi, Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the extension of a bilateral agreement on joint military training between the armies of both countries for the next five years. This agreement allows both armies to train together in India.
60 Years of Diplomatic Relations
Singapore and India are gearing up to celebrate 60 years of official ties in 2025. During the dialogue, both ministers reaffirmed the excellent bilateral ties between the two countries and discussed ways to enhance mutual defence engagement. This includes collaboration in emerging technologies and defense industry cooperation. Additionally, there are discussions about Singapore potentially using India’s Chandipur Integrated Test Range for live firing of weapon systems.
Deepening Defense Cooperation
Following the dialogue, Minister Ng expressed the desire for the two armies to expand their current interactions. One possibility discussed was for Singapore and India to take turns hosting annual troop exercises, further solidifying their defense cooperation.
Decade of Joint Army Training
The Bilateral Agreement for the Conduct of Joint Army Training and Exercises was first signed in 2008. Over the past decade, the two armed forces have engaged in bilateral armor and artillery exercises such as Exercise Bold Kurukshetra and Exercise Agni Warrior. This agreement has been extended twice before, in 2013 and 2018, each time for a period of five years.
Naval and Air Force Cooperation
In addition to joint army training, both countries also discussed deepening naval cooperation, which is currently in its 30th year. The Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (Simbex) recently concluded its 30th iteration in the South China Sea. Furthermore, the air forces of Singapore and India regularly engage in joint exercises, with the latest one commencing on Oct 21 in India’s West Bengal state.
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
This recent dialogue comes on the heels of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore on Sept 4. During his visit, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Mr. Modi agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This signals a deeper level of cooperation between the two nations.
Strengthening Defense Ties
The meeting between the defense ministers also included discussions on strengthening defense ties at a high priority level. Singapore’s High Commissioner to India extended an invitation for Indian President Droupadi Murmu to visit Singapore in 2025 to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations.
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Analysis:
In summary, the extension of the bilateral agreement on joint military training between Singapore and India signifies a commitment to enhancing defense cooperation between the two countries. The deepening of ties in various areas such as emerging technologies, defense industry cooperation, and joint exercises demonstrates a mutual interest in fortifying security partnerships. As the two nations gear up to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, the ongoing dialogue and engagement at the highest levels highlight the significance of defense collaboration in ensuring regional stability and security. This partnership not only strengthens defense capabilities but also fosters lasting friendships and strategic alliances, benefiting both countries in the long run.