Dr Vivian Balakrishnan Image: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan wrote an opinion piece for Indian media Hindustan Times yesterday (‘Regardless of season or size, Singapore-India ties remain robust at 56‘, 9 Aug) in his own personal capacity.

In the article, he advocated that Singapore and India are “natural partners” and “must continue” to collaborate.

He started his article by saying that August is a special month for Singapore and India as both countries had their independence in the same month. Also, ASEAN was also established in the month of August back in 1967, he noted.

“While nation-building is a never ending task, both Singaporeans and Indians have much to be proud of,” Balakrishnan said, calling India a “longstanding friend of Singapore”.

“The historical, literary, cultural and economic ties go back many centuries,” he further noted. “Many Singaporeans have family ties in India.”

“Singapore and India are natural partners. We must continue with this spirit of collaboration as we navigate a pathway out of the pandemic and re-emerge stronger,” he added.

“Bilaterally, we enjoy close partnership in the economic, security, and people-to-people domains, including on skills and urban development.”

Balakrishnan shared that Singapore has been India’s largest source of foreign direct investment for three consecutive years, averaging US$16 billion in total equity inflows annually.

“We are further deepening our partnership in areas that will become even more salient in the post-pandemic world — fintech, innovation and skills, and digital connectivity,” he said.

Balakrishnan also took the opportunity to welcome India’s engagement with ASEAN. In particular, he praised Indian PM Narendra Modi for unveiling India’s “Act East” policy in 2014. This policy is India’s diplomatic initiative meant to promote economic, strategic and cultural relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Singapore has always been one of the earliest and strongest proponents of closer ASEAN-India ties,” he said. “We believe that the growth and opening up of India will contribute greatly to peace, prosperity, and stability in our region.”

In this regard, Balakrishnan opined that isolationism and protectionism will not be the solution to creating opportunities in a world which is “undergoing radical changes in geopolitics and the ongoing digital revolution”.

Balakrishnan also revealed that starting this month, Singapore will commence its three-year term as country coordinator for ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations. “We will work unremittingly to strengthen the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership,” he promised.

“I am confident that Singapore and India will continue to work closely for the mutual benefit of our peoples and the region, just like what we have always done, regardless of season.”

There are indeed many family ties between Singapore and India as mentioned by Balakrishnan, going by the comments left by signatories of a recent online petition, calling for the Singapore government to ease travel restrictions so as to allow vaccinated Indian nationals to return to Singapore.

 

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