By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, OCT 23, 2024: RAKSHA Mantri Rajnath Singh and Minister of Defence of Singapore Dr Ng Eng Hen co-chaired the sixth India-Singapore Defence Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi on October 22, 2024. Both Ministers acknowledged the deep and long-standing bilateral defence relations based on shared outlook on regional peace, stability and security.

This meeting assumes significance in the backdrop of India marking a decade of its Act East policy, in which Singapore has played a key role in promoting economic cooperation & cultural ties, and developing strategic connectivity with countries in the region.

Both Ministers expressed satisfaction at the growing defence cooperation between the two countries. There have been regular engagements between the Armed Forces of the two countries in recent years.

As 2025 marks 60 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore, both Ministers agreed to further step up defence cooperation and agreed to achieve new feats. They also agreed to extend bilateral agreement on Joint Military Training Army for the next five years.

Recognising that both nations are natural partners for commencing co-development and co-production of defence equipment, both sides agreed to enhance industry cooperation, including exploring collaboration in niche domains such as automation and Artificial Intelligence. The two Ministers also decided to take forward the cooperation in emerging areas like cyber security.

Rajnath Singh thanked Dr Ng Eng Hen for Singapore's support as country coordinator for India in ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting - Plus from 2021 to 2024. The Defence Minister of Singapore acknowledged that India is a strategic voice for Asia's peace and stability. The bilateral relationship was recently elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Singapore.

Prior to the Dialogue, the visiting dignitary was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a Tri-Service Guard of Honour.

Earlier, the Singaporean Defence Minister laid a wreath and paid homage to the fallen heroes at the National War Memorial, New Delhi.

Dr Ng Eng Hen is on a visit to India from October 21-23, 2024.