>Albertaont: singapore variant

2021-05-23T06:16:08Z

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{{Short description|1=Diplomatic relations between the Republic of India and the Republic of Singapore}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox bilateral relations|Indo-Singaporean|India|Singapore|mission1=High Commission of India, [[Singapore]]|mission2=High Commission of Singapore, [[New Delhi]]|envoytitle1=Indian High Commissioner to [[Singapore]]|envoy1=Periasamy Kumaran|envoytitle2=Singaporean High Commissioner to [[India]]|envoy2=Simon Wong Wie Kuen}}
[[File:PM Modi in a meeting with Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Singapore's Prime Minister [[Lee Hsien Loong]] with the Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]].]]
'''India-Singapore relations''' ({{Lang-hi|भारत-सिंगापुर संबंध}}; {{Lang-zh|c=新加坡-印度关系|s=|t=|p=}}; {{Lang-ms|Hubungan India-Singapura}}; {{Lang-ta|இந்தியா-சிங்கப்பூர் உறவுகள்}}), also known as '''Indian-Singaporean relations''' or '''Indo-Singaporean''' '''relations''', are the [[bilateral relations]] between [[India]] and [[Singapore]]. Relations between the two countries have traditionally been strong and friendly, with the two nations enjoying extensive cultural and commercial relations. India and Singapore have signed the [[India–Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement|Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement]] (CECA) and strategic-relationship agreement in order to increase trade, investments and economic cooperation, and expanded bilateral cooperation on [[maritime security]], training forces, joint naval exercises, developing military technology and fighting [[terrorism]].<ref name="SO">{{Cite web |title=IPCS Special Report - India-Singapore Relations |url=http://www.ipcs.org/IPCS-Special-Report-41.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611050126/http://www.ipcs.org/IPCS-Special-Report-41.pdf |archive-date=June 11, 2007 |access-date=2008-06-18 |publisher=Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies |format=PDF}}</ref><ref name="O">{{Cite web |date=2005-07-02 |title=India, Singapore ink pact |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GG02Df03.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050703001651/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GG02Df03.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=2005-07-03 |access-date=2008-06-18 |publisher=[[Asia Times]]}}</ref><ref name=sgi1/>

According to a 2010 [[Gallup (company)|Gallup]] poll, 40% of [[Singaporeans]] approve of India's leadership, with 23% disapproving and 37% uncertain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/144269/Leadership-Popular-Asia-China-India.aspx | title=U.S. Leadership More Popular in Asia Than China's, India's | publisher=[[Gallup (company)|Gallup]]}}</ref>

== Background ==
India and Singapore share long-standing cultural, commercial and strategic relations, with Singapore being a part of the "[[Greater India]]" cultural and commercial region.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}} More than 500,000 people of Indian origin live in Singapore. Following its independence in 1965, Singapore was concerned with China-backed [[communist]] threats as well as domination from [[Malaysia]] and [[Indonesia]] and sought a close strategic relationship with India, which it saw as a counterbalance to [[People's Republic of China|Chinese influence]] and a partner in achieving regional security.<ref name="SO" /> Singapore had always been an important strategic trading post, giving India trade access to the [[Far East]]. Although the rival positions of both nations over the [[Vietnam War]] and the [[Cold War]] caused consternation between India and Singapore, their relationship expanded significantly in the 1990s;<ref name="SO" /> Singapore was one of the first to respond to [[India's "Look East" Policy]] of expanding its economic, cultural and strategic ties in [[Southeast Asia]] to strengthen its standing as a [[regional power]].<ref name="SO" />

==Development of bilateral relations==

Diplomatic relations between India and Singapore were established on 24 August 1965, fifteen days after the latter became independent.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 April 2017 |title=DIPLOMATIC & CONSULAR LIST |url=https://app1.mfa.gov.sg/dipcon/pdf/dipconopen.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820202434/https://app1.mfa.gov.sg/dipcon/pdf/dipconopen.pdf |archive-date=20 August 2017 |access-date=17 April 2017 |website=MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS |page=103}}</ref> Ever since Singapore's independence, both nations have maintained high-level contacts. Between 1966 and 1971 the [[Prime Minister of Singapore]] [[Lee Kuan Yew]] visited India three times (1966, 1970 and 1971). The then-[[Indian Prime Minister]] [[Indira Gandhi]] visited Singapore in 1968, as did Indian leader [[Morarji Desai]].<ref name="SO" /> Singapore supported India's bid to become a [[U.N. Security Council|permanent member of the U.N. Security Council]] and expand its role and influence in the [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations]] (ASEAN). Singapore also supported India in its [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|war against Pakistan]] in 1965 and the [[Kashmir conflict]].<ref name="SO" />

Military relations between the two nations had been limited due to foreign policy differences in the [[Cold War]] era,<ref name="SO" /> as Singapore was allied with Nato, whilst India established itself as a founding member of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]], and as the only South Asian country to recognise the [[Democratic Republic of Afghanistan]].{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}

In 2003, India and Singapore signed a bilateral agreement on expanding military cooperation, conducting joint military training, developing military technology and achieving [[maritime security]].<ref name="SO" /> The [[Singaporean Navy]] and the [[Indian Navy]] have conducted joint naval exercises and training since 1993 such as [[SIMBEX]] and MILAN near India's [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]]. India and Singapore have also expanded their cooperation in fighting [[terrorism]].<ref name="SO" />

Over the last two decades, Singapore has positioned itself as the hub of India's economic, political and strategic relationships in Southeast Asia. When India announced its Look East policy in 1992, Singapore positioned itself as India's de facto regional sponsor. As Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee commented in 2006, Singapore has become “the hub of its political, economic and security strategy in the whole of East Asia.” <ref>{{Cite web |last=David Brewster |title=India’s Defence Strategy and the India-ASEAN Relationship. Retrieved 24 August 2014 |url=https://www.academia.edu/7716140/Indias_Defence_Strategy_and_the_India-ASEAN_Relationship}}</ref>

After the death of Lee Kuan Yew in 2015, India followed with a weekend of national mourning in memory of the founding father of Singapore, and Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] visited Singapore in November 2015 reaffirming fifty years of bilateral relations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Straits Times - Modi tours engineering hubs at ITE campus |url=http://www.gov.sg/news/content/the-straits-times-modi-tours-engineering-hubs-at-ite-campus |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126053254/http://www.gov.sg/news/content/the-straits-times-modi-tours-engineering-hubs-at-ite-campus |archive-date=26 November 2015 |access-date=25 November 2015 |website=Government of Singapore |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Commerce==
Singapore is the 8th largest source of investment in India and the largest amongst ASEAN member nations.<ref name="SO" /><ref name="J">{{Cite web |title=India-Singapore Economic and Commercial Relations |url=http://www.ficci.com/international/countries/singapore/singapore-commercialrelations.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611085728/http://www.ficci.com/international/countries/singapore/singapore-commercialrelations.htm |archive-date=11 June 2008 |access-date=2008-06-18 |publisher=[[Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry]] |df=dmy-all}}</ref> It is also India's 9th biggest trading partner as of 2005–06.<ref name="SO" /> Its cumulative investment in India totals US$3 billion as of 2006 and is expected to rise to $5 billion by 2010 and $10 billion by 2015.<ref name="SO" /><ref name="O" /><ref name="GV">{{Cite web |date=2005-06-30 |title=India, Singapore trade to touch $50 bn by 2010 |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/06/30/stories/2005063002400700.htm |access-date=2008-06-18 |publisher=[[The Hindu|The Hindu Business Line]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 June 2007 |title=India-Singapore Relations AN OVERVIEW |url=http://www.ipcs.org/IPCS-Special-Report-41.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070606205724/http://www.ipcs.org/IPCS-Special-Report-41.pdf |archive-date=6 June 2007}}</ref> India's economic liberalisation and its "Look East" policy have led to a major expansion in bilateral trade, which grew from US$2.2 billion in 2001 to $9 billion – 10 billion in 2006 – a 400% growth in the span of five years – and to $50 billion by 2010.<ref name="SO" /><ref name="O" /><ref name="GV" /> Singapore accounts for 38% of India's trade with ASEAN member nations and 3.4% of its total foreign trade.<ref name="SO" /> India's main exports to
Singapore in 2005 included [[petroleum]], gemstones, jewellery, machinery and its imports from Singapore included electronic goods, organic chemicals and metals. More than half of Singapore's exports to India are "re-exports" – items that had been imported from India.<ref name="SO" /><ref name="J" />

In 2005, both nations signed the [[India–Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement|Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement]] (CECA) and have organised the India-Singapore Parliamentary Forum and the Singapore-India Partnership foundation with active support from the [[Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry]] (FICC), the [[Confederation of Indian Industry]] (CII) and the Singapore Business Federation to promote trade, economic development and partnerships.<ref name="SO" /><ref name="O" /><ref name="J" /> The CECA eliminated [[Tariff|tariff barriers]], double taxation, duplicate processes and regulations and provided unhindered access and collaboration between the financial institutions of Singapore and India.<ref name="SO" /><ref name="O" /> The CECA also enhanced bilateral collaboration related to education, science and technology, [[intellectual property]], [[aviation]] and relaxed [[Visa (document)|visa]] regulations for Indian professionals in [[information technology]], medicine, engineering and financial fields to emigrate and work in Singapore.<ref name="SO" /><ref name="O" /> Singapore has invested in projects to upgrade India's ports, airports and developing [[information technology]] parks and a [[Special Economic Zone]] (SEZ).<ref name="SO" /> India has become Singapore's 4th biggest tourist destination and more than 650,000 Indians visited Singapore in 2006. Both nations have worked to collaborate on aviation, aerospace engineering, space programmes, information technology, [[biotechnology]] and energy.<ref name="SO" />

Singapore and India successfully concluded the second review of the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) on 1 June 2018 in the presence of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Conclusion of the second review of the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement |url=https://www.mti.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Releases/2018/06/Conclusion-of-the-second-review-of-the-India-Singapore-Comprehensive-Economic-Cooperation-Agreement |website=www.mti.gov.sg}}</ref>

In September 2018, India and Singapore formally launched the third review of CECA which focuses on trade facilitation, e-commerce and customs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 September 2018 |title=Third review of landmark India-Singapore economic deal to focus on trade facilitation, e-commerce and customs |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/business/third-review-of-landmark-india-singapore-economic-deal-to-focus-on-trade-facilitation-e |website=The Straits Times}}</ref>

==Military cooperation==
{{ anchor | Military | Geo | Geostrategic | Strategic}}

In 1994, India and Singapore began their annual naval combat exercise, now called "SIMBEX" Several warships from India and Singapore took part in this interoperable combat exercise.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India, Singapore kick off major naval exercise in South China Sea - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-singapore-kick-off-major-naval-exercise-in-south-china-sea/articleshow/58736322.cms |website=The Times of India}}</ref>

In 2003, India and Singapore signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement, allowing Singapore army and air force to conduct training on Indian soil.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 November 2015 |title=Singapore, India elevate ties to 'strategic partnership' with signing of key agreements |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-india-elevate-ties-to-strategic-partnership-with-signing-of-key-agreements |website=The Straits Times}}</ref>

On 24 November 2015, India and Singapore signed the agreement for the "strategic relationship" across the board including defence and military, security and intelligence cooperation, political exchanges, enhancing trade and investment, improving financial linkages, improving air connectivity and cooperation in multilateral forums.<ref name="sgi1">{{Cite web |title=Singapore, India elevate ties to 'strategic partnership' with signing of key agreements |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-india-elevate-ties-to-strategic-partnership-with-signing-of-key-agreements}}</ref>

On 29 November 2017, the two countries signed a naval cooperation agreement aimed at boosting maritime security, joint exercises and mutual logistics support. The agreement also permits ships of either navy to refuel, restock and, rearm at each other military bases.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eye on China: India and Singapore ink naval pact - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/eye-on-china-india-and-singapore-ink-naval-pact/articleshow/61852056.cms |access-date=29 November 2017 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> After signing the agreement, Singapore's Defence Minister Dr. [[Ng Eng Hen]] stated, "not only would we be more comfortable, we would encourage the Indian Navy to visit Changi Naval base more often".<ref>{{Cite web |title=India's Warships Can Now Refuel And Rearm At Singapore Naval Base |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/wary-of-china-india-gets-rights-to-use-singapores-latest-navy-base-1781527 |access-date=29 November 2017 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) regularly conduct joint military training exercises.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RSAF gets 'immeasurable value' training with Indian Air Force: Ng Eng Hen |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/rsaf-gets-immeasurable-value-training-with-indian-air-force-ng-9448722 |website=Channel NewsAsia}}</ref>

India and Singapore also signed the revised Defence Cooperation Agreement to strengthen the existing defence relationship between Indian military and Singapore Armed Forces on 29 November 2017.

In 2018, "India-Singapore Bilateral Agreement for Navy Cooperation" was signed which gave [[Indian Navy]] ships access to Singapore's [[Changi Naval Base]] near the [[Territorial disputes in the South China Sea|disputed South China Sea]], mutual logistical support and refuelling rights at the port.<ref>{{Cite web |title=From Singapore’s Changi Naval Base To Oman’s Duqm Port, How Is India Countering Chinese String of Pearls? |url=https://eurasiantimes.com/from-singapores-changi-naval-base-to-omans-duqm-port-how-is-india-countering-chinese-string-of-pearls/ |website=eurasiantimes.com}}</ref>

== Impact of COVID-19 ==
When the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore]] was declared in 2019, India and Singapore unilaterally stopped issuing short-term tourist visas from 11 March and 24 March 2020 onwards respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 March 2020|title=Coronavirus: India suspends all tourist visas and e-visas for travellers|url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/03/11/coronavirus-india-suspends-visa-on-arrival-for-japan-and-south-korea/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-22|title=Singapore tourist ban aims to curb imported coronavirus infections|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3076333/coronavirus-singapores-tourist-ban-aims-curb-imported|access-date=2021-05-04|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref> Before Singapore stopped releasing individual case details in April 2020, more than 1,600 Indian nationals were diagnosed with [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kurohi|first=Rei|date=2020-04-23|title=PM Lee, India's PM Narendra Modi discuss Covid-19 situations at home over phone call|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/pm-lee-indias-pm-narendra-modi-discuss-covid-19-situations-at-home-over-phone-call|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-04|website=The Straits Times|language=en}}</ref> In May 2020, India embarked on a repatriation scheme which would have brought back 1,250 Indian nationals from Singapore,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ganapathy|first=Nirmala|date=2020-05-05|title=India embarks on massive coronavirus repatriation|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/india-embarks-on-massive-coronavirus-repatriation|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-04|website=The Straits Times|language=en}}</ref> while assisted Singapore in repatriating approximately 400 Singaporeans from India.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Rohit|first=T. k|date=2020-10-21|title=Singapore will reach out to India’s proposal on travel bubble, says envoy|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/singapore-will-reach-out-to-indias-proposal-on-travel-bubble-says-envoy/article32911980.ece|access-date=2021-05-04|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Despite the pandemic, investment flows between the two countries had 'slowed down a little bit' with approximately US$2 billion worth of investments going into India.<ref name=":0" />

As [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|India experienced its second wave of infections beginning March 2021]], India faced an oxygen shortage nationwide to treat COVID-19 patients.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ganapathy|first=Nirmala|date=2021-04-27|title=Scramble for oxygen continues as countries pledge help for India|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/scramble-for-oxygen-continues-as-countries-pledge-help-for-india|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-04|website=The Straits Times|language=en}}</ref> Four cryogenic oxygen tanks donated by [[Tata Group]], which were being used for transporting oxygen across the nation, were airlifted by the [[Indian Air Force]] from Singapore.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-24|title=India posts new world record of daily Covid-19 cases, airlifts cryogenic oxygen tanks from Singapore|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/indias-daily-covid-19-death-toll-hits-new-record-as-shortages-bite|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-04|website=The Straits Times|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Singapore sends oxygen aid to help India fight COVID-19 pandemic|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/singapore-sends-oxygen-aid-to-help-india-fight-covid-19-pandemic-14709168|access-date=2021-05-04|website=CNA|language=en}}</ref> The [[Republic of Singapore Air Force]] also sent two planeloads of oxygen supplies, and [[Temasek Holdings]], one of the two Singaporean government investment companies, donated medical supplies such as ventilators and oxygen concentrators.<ref name=":1" /> Various ground-up initiatives had started as well in Singapore to raise funds and gather supplies for those affected in India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sundar|first=Deepa|last2=Arunachalam|first2=Sivakami|date=2021-05-02|title=Ground-up initiatives in Singapore to help India's Covid-19 surge gather momentum|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/ground-up-initiatives-in-singapore-gather-momentum|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-04|website=The Straits Times|language=en}}</ref>

In May, Delhi Chief Minister [[Arvind Kejriwal]] claimed without evidence that a new [[Variants of SARS-CoV-2|COVID-19 variant]] from Singapore was extremely dangerous for children and could result in a third wave in India. Singapore's ministry of health had to clarify there was no Singapore variant nor any evidence of a Covid-19 variant extremely dangerous for kids.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Choudhury|first=Saheli Roy|date=2021-05-20|title=Singapore orders Facebook, Twitter to correct false claims on a 'new' Covid variant|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/20/singapore-rejects-delhi-chiefs-claims-about-new-covid-19-variant.html|access-date=2021-05-23|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=2021-05-19|title=Singapore says 'no truth' to Kejriwal's new variant claims|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57167542|access-date=2021-05-23}}</ref> It became apparent that the increase in COVID cases came from a variant originating in [[Lineage B.1.617|India.]]<ref name=":2" />

==See also==
* [[Indians in Singapore]]

== References ==
{{commons category|Relations of India and Singapore}}
{{reflist}}

{{Foreign relations of India}}
{{Foreign relations of Singapore}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:India-Singapore relations}}
[[Category:India–Singapore relations| ]]
[[Category:Bilateral relations of India|Singapore]]
[[Category:Bilateral relations of Singapore]]

India–Singapore relations - Revision history

Srivatsan: reworked details additionally and corrected details

>Albertaont: singapore variant