On Thursday, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that India and Singapore are forging closer ties in key areas such as advanced manufacturing and semiconductors and establishing a "corridor for renewable energy".

On his first visit to India as the city-state's president, Shanmugaratnam said that a "data corridor" is also being looked for between the GIFT city of Gujarat and Singapore so that financial institutions on both sides can trade data on a secure and trusted basis.

During his five-day visit to India, the Singaporean president held talks with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an emphasis on further expanding bilateral relations.

Singapore and India have embarked on a "new trajectory" of collaboration following the elevation of their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore in September last year, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam informed reporters.

Regarding the meeting between Modi and Shanmugaratnam, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the two leaders conducted an extensive review of the bilateral relationship and explored ways to enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership further.

The leaders also shared perspectives on regional and global matters of mutual concern, according to the MEA.

"We are exploring new initiatives going beyond the existing active relationship that we have. We are cooperating in advanced manufacturing and semiconductors," Shanmugaratnam stated. He said both sides have been working on new "generation and net zero" industrial parks, in addition to focusing on capacity building for new industries. "In the digital space, we are exploring the possibility of a data corridor between GIFT City and Singapore so that our financial institutions can exchange data on a safe and trusted basis," Shanmugaratnam further said.

As per Shanmugaratnam, sustainability is a significant focus for India and Singapore. "We are working actively to look at whether a corridor for renewable energy between India and Singapore can be achieved," he added. "I am optimistic about our relations with India. I am optimistic because our leaders see eye-to-eye. We are natural partners. Singapore has invested in India's ambition to be a developed country by 2047," the Singaporean president stated.

Shanmugaratnam also mentioned how India, recognised his country almost six decades ago.  "We will never forget that India was one of the first few countries to recognise Singapore's independence in 1965. And since then, our relationship has grown by bounds," he added. "It's a natural partnership between a small country, Singapore, and a very large country, India. But we found ways to cooperate in ways that are mutual interests in a whole range of areas," Shanmugaratnam further said.

He also mentioned, "Our business relationships are thriving. In fact, Singapore has been the largest investor in India for many years now. Our defence relationship is strong."

On Wednesday evening, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met the President of Singapore. Besides, other ministers such as Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Health Minister JP Nadda, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Skill Development Minister Jayant Chaudhary also met the Singaporean President.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that President Tharman Shanmugaratnam's visit marked the beginning of the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore. This relationship has developed into a "robust and multi-faceted" partnership.

President Droupadi Murmu and President Shanmugaratnam unveiled a logo symbolising the milestone as part of the commemorations. The MEA highlighted, "Singapore is a key pillar of India's 'Act East' Policy and our Indo-Pacific vision."

The MEA also noted, "This visit follows an eventful year in India-Singapore bilateral relations, the hallmark of which was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore in September 2024."