Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Singaporean counterpart, Dr. Ng Eng Hen, are set to co-chair the sixth India-Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi on Tuesday. This high-level meeting aims to bolster defence cooperation between the two nations, with discussions expected to cover a range of regional and global security issues of mutual concern.
According to a statement from India’s Ministry of Defence, the relationship between India and Singapore has flourished under a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, where defence cooperation has emerged as a cornerstone. Over the years, the defence collaboration has deepened to include military-to-military exchanges, high-level visits, joint training initiatives, peacekeeping operations under the United Nations, naval ship visits, and regular bilateral military exercises.
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh & Defence Minister of Singapore Dr @Ng_Eng_Hen to co-chair 6th India-Singapore Defence Ministers' Dialogue in New Delhi on Oct 22, 2024. The focus will be on boosting bilateral defence cooperation & exchanging views on regional & global issues.… pic.twitter.com/9xNgHtvZuB
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) October 21, 2024
Singapore plays a pivotal role in India’s “Act East” policy and is a key partner in the broader Indo-Pacific strategy. The Ministry’s statement added that Singapore’s defence and security partnership is viewed as a stabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific, underscoring the importance of maintaining peace and stability in a region fraught with evolving security dynamics.
Meanwhile, the 12th edition of the Joint Military Training (JMT) exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is currently being conducted at Air Force Station Kalaikunda, West Bengal. The exercise underscores the deepening defence ties between the two nations and aims to enhance interoperability, mutual learning, and the exchange of air combat expertise.
Team BharatShakti
