India, Singapore mark 60 years of ties with pledge to fight terror, boost strategic cooperation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep gratitude to his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong for extending solidarity with India in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. Addressing the media after bilateral talks in New Delhi, Modi underscored that both India and Singapore face shared concerns over terrorism and have a moral duty to confront it together.
“In the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Wong and the Government of Singapore for their sympathy towards the people of India and for their support in our fight against terrorism. We believe that fighting terrorism with unity is the duty of all humanitarian countries,” Modi said.
The remarks came months after 26 people were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which prompted India to launch strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor. Modi’s statement was not only a diplomatic acknowledgment but also a reaffirmation of India’s growing insistence that the global community must act collectively against terror networks.
Celebrating 60 Years Of India-Singapore relations
PM Modi highlighted that Wong’s visit holds special significance as both nations mark 60 years of diplomatic ties. “During my last visit to Singapore, we elevated our ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. This relationship goes far beyond diplomacy—it is a partnership with purpose, rooted in shared values, guided by mutual interests, and driven by a common vision for peace, progress, and prosperity,” Modi observed.
Singapore Prime Minister Wong, who is on a three-day official trip to India, echoed the sentiment. Describing the India-Singapore bond as “more important than ever in a world of uncertainty and turbulence,” Wong stressed that trust and shared history form the backbone of the partnership. “Together we can strengthen resilience, seize new opportunities and contribute to stability and growth in our region and beyond. I look forward to working hand in hand with Prime Minister Modi to bring the Singapore-India partnership to even greater heights,” he said.
Expanding cooperation into new frontiers
Wong announced that India and Singapore are set to broaden cooperation in emerging sectors, particularly space. He noted that India has already launched over 20 Singapore-made satellites and that the new MoU on space collaboration would “push the boundaries of what we can achieve together.” He also underlined the importance of people-to-people ties as the “bedrock” of the bilateral relationship, with plans to enhance civil service cooperation and cultural exchanges.
The Singapore PM’s itinerary has been a packed one. On Tuesday, he met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss boosting trade, investment, fintech, skill development, healthcare, sustainability, and connectivity. He also paid tributes at Rajghat alongside his wife, Loo Tze Lui, honoring Mahatma Gandhi’s universal ideals. On Wednesday, Wong met BJP national president and Union Health Minister JP Nadda, further deepening political linkages.
Earlier on Thursday, Wong met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who expressed confidence that the Singaporean leader’s visit would chart a roadmap for the next phase of the strategic partnership. “Appreciate his constant encouragement for strengthening India-Singapore ties,” Jaishankar posted on X.
As Modi and Wong concluded their talks at Hyderabad House, both leaders projected a strong message: that India and Singapore, bound by trust, shared values, and common aspirations, will not only stand together against terrorism but also shape a forward-looking partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and beyond.
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