Singapore, July 13, 2025 – India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Sunday during an official visit to Singapore. The meeting focused on strengthening the close ties between the two nations, with Jaishankar emphasizing Singapore’s central role in India’s Act East Policy.
In a statement shared on social media, Jaishankar said, “Singapore is at the heart of our Act East Policy. It is always insightful to exchange views there. Great to meet Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan this morning in Singapore.” The Act East Policy is India’s initiative to deepen economic, cultural, and strategic ties with Southeast Asian countries, and Singapore has been a key partner in this effort since the policy’s launch.
During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation and discussed regional and global issues. Jaishankar also met with Teo Chee Hean, Chairman-designate of Temasek Holdings, to discuss India’s ongoing transformation and new investment opportunities. The talks highlighted the strong partnership between India and Singapore, which is built on shared interests in trade, technology, and regional stability.
The visit comes as India and Singapore celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2025. Earlier this year, the two countries unveiled a joint logo to mark this milestone, symbolizing their enduring friendship and shared values.
Jaishankar’s trip to Singapore is part of a broader tour that includes a visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Tianjin. He is expected to hold further bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the SCO meeting.
India and Singapore share a deep relationship rooted in strong commercial, cultural, and people-to-people connections. Singapore has played a vital role in connecting India with Southeast Asia, making it a cornerstone of India’s regional engagement.