NEW DELHI — India and Singapore are charting a deeper course of cooperation across emerging sectors such as nuclear energy, green technologies, semiconductors, and workforce training, with leaders from both nations underscoring the importance of partnership in an increasingly volatile global environment.
During his official visit to India this week, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong, stressed that closer collaboration was a “win-win proposition” in the face of geopolitical and economic uncertainties. He led the Singapore delegation to the third India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) in New Delhi on August 13, following a visit to Mumbai on August 12 to assess Singapore-led projects.
At the ISMR, both nations explored cooperation in critical areas from clean energy to advanced manufacturing while marking 60 years of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
A key highlight was Singapore’s interest in learning from India’s robust nuclear energy sector. With over two dozen reactors and ambitions to expand capacity from 8.88 GW to 100 GW by 2047, India is developing small modular reactors (SMRs) as part of its clean energy transition. DPM Gan said Singapore would engage with India’s atomic agencies on nuclear safety standards, regulatory frameworks, and technology advancements, while keeping the nuclear option open for its own future energy mix.
On the green transition front, discussions included establishing a sustainable green industrial park in Rajasthan and creating a green maritime corridor for fuel exports from India to Singapore. Plans for cooperation in cross-border carbon credit trading and renewable energy infrastructure such as solar and wind farms were also on the table. “Climate change is an existential challenge; our industries must transition towards a low-carbon future,” DPM Gan noted.
Economic opportunities in semiconductors formed another focal point. With India emerging as a chip manufacturing hub, home to major global players like Micron and Foxconn, Singapore sees scope to strengthen its semiconductor supply chain resilience while contributing skilled expertise. Plans include joint training centres for semiconductor manufacturing and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) in aviation.
The two sides are also addressing skills alignment. As Singapore faces a shortage of nurses, it is working with Indian training institutes to harmonise curricula, making Indian healthcare professionals more job-ready for Singapore’s needs. Similar workforce collaborations are being considered for technology and engineering fields.
However, DPM Gan cautioned that while India offers significant market potential, Singaporean firms must adapt to India’s distinct regulatory and cultural business environment. Local partnerships, he advised, are key to navigating its complexities.
The visit also coincided with the India-Singapore Business Roundtable (ISBR), where business leaders explored pathways to enhance trade, investments, and people-to-people ties.
Expressing confidence in bilateral prospects, DPM Gan said: “Our ties are built on decades of trust and mutual benefit. By deepening collaboration, we create opportunities for our companies, strengthen our economies, and contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future.”