Vinod Bhat
Delhi, 5 Sep: The 16th India-Singapore Defence Working Group meeting took place in Singapore on September 04, 2025. It was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence, India Shri Amitabh Prasad and Director, Policy Office, Ministry of Defence, Singapore Col Daxson Yap.
The meeting reviewed the progress on the implementation of decisions taken during the last Defence Ministers’ Dialogue and various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives. It provided an excellent opportunity to exchange defence perspectives and accelerate the momentum of initiatives covering the entire spectrum of multifaceted bilateral defence engagements as well as the regional security architecture.
The deliberations were guided by the latest Joint Statement on the Roadmap for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Singapore issued after the meeting between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and his Singaporean counterpart Mr Lawrence Wong in New Delhi.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defence collaboration and identified means to enhance existing areas of collaboration, especially in the field of training, capability building, industry & technology, maritime security and multinational cooperation. The co-chairs also articulated steps in the direction of emerging areas of cooperation and issues pertaining to global commons.
As 2025 marks 60 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore, both co-chairs agreed to further step up defence cooperation. The meeting assumes significance in the backdrop of India’s 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.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Joint Secretary also met Deputy Secretary Policy BG Fredrick Choo. He also visited Information Fusion Centre and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Cyber Security and Information Centre of Excellence at Changi Naval Base during the visit.
