New Delhi: India and Singapore reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation at the 16th India-Singapore Defence Working Group (DWG) meeting, held in Singapore on September 4.
The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence, India, and Col Daxson Yap, Director, Policy Office, Ministry of Defence, Singapore.
The discussions reviewed the progress made on decisions taken during the last Defence Ministers’ Dialogue and ongoing bilateral defence cooperation initiatives.
Both sides underlined the importance of sustaining momentum across the entire spectrum of defence engagements, including regional security architecture.
The deliberations were guided by the latest Joint Statement on the Roadmap for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership issued after the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Singaporean Prime Minister Mr Lawrence Wong in New Delhi.
16th India-Singapore Defence Working Group Meeting
India and Singapore expressed satisfaction with the current trajectory of defence collaboration and identified ways to further strengthen existing partnerships. Key focus areas included:
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Training and capability building
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Defence industry and technology cooperation
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Maritime security
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Multinational defence cooperation
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Emerging areas in global commons
The co-chairs emphasized the need to step up joint initiatives to address evolving challenges in these domains.
60 Years of Diplomatic Relations
The meeting carried special significance as 2025 marks 60 years of diplomatic ties between India and Singapore. Both sides acknowledged the milestone and agreed to intensify defence engagement to mark the occasion.
The dialogue also highlighted Singapore’s pivotal role in advancing India’s Act East Policy, promoting economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and strategic connectivity with nations across the Indo-Pacific region.
Sideline Engagements
On the sidelines of the DWG meeting, Amitabh Prasad met BG Fredrick Choo, Deputy Secretary Policy, Ministry of Defence, Singapore. He also visited the Information Fusion Centre and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Cyber Security and Information Centre of Excellence at Changi Naval Base.
By reinforcing existing areas of defence collaboration and opening pathways for new partnerships, the 16th DWG meeting reflected the growing strategic trust and synergy between India and Singapore.
