Understanding nuances of India- Singapore Strategic Partnership
Look East Policy and its successor Act East Policy are quite important for India’s influence and diplomatic progress in Asia. These policies have enabled India to allocate its diplomatic responsibilities and abilities to balance out between the Western diplomatic regime and the Eastern diplomatic regime. The effectiveness of these policies can only be measured by the number of nations that are attracted by these policies. Influencing the states under the region targeted, into strategic, economic, or cultural ties enable nation-states enhance diplomatic and defence ties. And as China is the major contestant for India in the Asian region, a constant check on India’s ability to maintain and sustain bilateral relations is important. And Singapore is that metric of the judgement of how India is doing in Asia. This strategic alliance enables India to not only protect its sovereign territory but also enable them to construct its strategic maneuvers in the region. Despite the fact, India does not align its foreign policy as interventionist or aggressive as compared to China’s naval exercises and debt-trap diplomacy, but these strategic plans allow India to keep a check on Chinese actions. Moreover, for Singapore it allows them to increase their political and economic strengthen being situated with India’s rising economic and strategic abilities. This article analyzes the shaping of the relationship between India and Singapore strategic and defense capabilities on a historical and contemporary basis.
“Singapore has become the hub of India’s political, economic and security strategy in the whole of East Asia”- Pranab Mukherjee’s 2006 address.
The history of India and Singapore’s diplomatic and defense relations is crucial in the context of East Asia and the operation of both nations since 25th August 1965[1]. 15 days after Singapore officially gained its independence, diplomatic relations between Singapore and India were established. These relations marked a crucial trajectory in terms of how India sought to function after its Look East Policy of 1991/ Act East Policy of 2014[2]. Even in 2015, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Singapore in 2015 to reaffirm its diplomatic relations. This indicates the importance Singapore holds for India. The references of these longstanding bilateral talks are a composite of strategic, defence and cultural relations. Moreover, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic relations of India and Singapore have come to match an alignment that proves beneficial not only to Singapore for retaining its economy, but also assists India in establishing itself as a new economic power.
The establishment of the Look East Policy for India begins with Singapore as it became an emerging regional power. Moreover, the urgency Singapore showed towards extending its diplomatic hand towards New Delhi, displays how much crucial it is for Singapore to establish these ties. What one can witness in these relations is not a one-sided venture or dominance. The control and operation in Southeast Asia required both nations to be cooperative with each other and be more assistive of each other. One of the examples can be when during the Cold War when Singapore decided to side with NATO and New Delhi formulated the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), it was important for Singapore to maintain ties with NAM and India for its regional importance and strategy[3]. This logistical and diplomatic support required for Singapore makes India needs to keep the country on its list for maintaining strong relations.
The history suggests that when Singapore actively suggested and voiced its acceptance for India becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the diplomatic relations between the two nations strengthened on an international level. Leading to this, Singapore was the closest ally at the time when it tried to increase the role and influence of new formulated Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)[4]. By supporting New Delhi in its war against Pakistan in 1965 and the entirety of the Kashmir Conflict, Singapore has proved itself as a loyal ally on an international forum for India to move ahead with its agenda and strategy[5]. Because of different positions during the Cold War by both nations, military operations and ventures were very limited, but leading up to 2003, the importance of military alliances was kept at the top.
Singapore-India Bilateral Military Exercise (SIMBEX) and Milan Military Exercises by the Singaporean and Indian Navy, which were initially planned in 1993 were now being conducted regularly[6]. This also allowed India to maintain close surveillance and research association in the Indian Ocean, especially in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Terrorism and piracy issues were also on a rise during the initial half of the 2000s which were assisted both by the nations to counter the rising threats. Putting it in perspective, of the important and most active naval exercises that have been conducted in and around the Indian Ocean, SIMBEX is one of the most historically active and important practices. Upon the success of naval combat exercises, the Defense Cooperation Agreement was signed between the nations which allowed the ties to be formalized on a treaty basis and marked the alignment of ideological parameters in the region[7]. In 2015, the Defence Cooperation Agreement was revitalized by strengthening the strategic relationship and diversifying defence and military, security and intelligence cooperation and political exchanges[8].
Once the pollical exchanges were enhanced, since 2015 trade and investment, financial linkages and cooperation on multilateral forums were culturally and politically aligned. Even in 2017, Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Indian Air Force (IAF) also aligned on conducting much broader maritime security and logistical support in the area. In recent times, India-Singapore Bilateral Agreement for Navy Cooperation in 2018 marked a turning point when the Indian navy started having access to Singapore’s Changi Naval Base near the disputed South China Sea and established mutual logistical support and refueling rights at the port for both the nations[9]. The 2018 agreement also witnessed nine bilateral documents- maritime security, cybersecurity, narcotics trafficking, urban planning, civil aviation, and culture association were identified and re-addressed in the 2019 India- Singapore Economic Convention, marking an alignment of the Indian and Singaporean community on mutual issues in the region.[10]
A principal question stands in our evaluation when analyzing the future of India- Singapore relations is: - what are the ideological commonalities between the two nations? One of the major reasons why Singapore sided with India for diplomatic ties and why India insisted on revitalizing the agreement in 2018 on defense cooperation was against the backdrop of China’s increasing military maneuvers in the Indo-Pacific Region. Terrorism is a common concern that is addressed on an international level but with rising Chinese threats, the concern becomes greater because both nations feel their sovereignty threatened with the rising expansion.
With China’s interventions into the Indian Ocean and rising military expansion in the South China Sea, talks between the two nations were much more real. Along with the enhanced military interventions, trans-national security threats involving organized crime and joint media interaction is overwhelmingly successful in creating productive bi-lateral relations[11]. In light of regional security between both nations, maintaining freedom of navigation and consistent trade within the compounds of international law is an ideological commonality that assists both nations to further exercise their developments Defense Cooperation Agreement provides India to have a leading role in Indian Ocean India’s proposal for continuous and institutionalized engagements to enhance its territorial protection also fulfils the idea of ASEAN centrality which both the nations pursue[12].
In the 2018 ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting, Singapore’s proposals to expand the Code of Unplanned Encounters at Sea was supported by New Delhi which only solidifies the intentions of both parties at expanding their military engagements. The 2018 Shangri-La Dialogue displayed that both the nations supported each other in terms of collaboration in aerospace, electronics, and mutual interest in stopping the advancement of Chinese military in the ocean[13]. In November 2020, India extended the parameters of existing relations to incorporate the areas of current distress. The 27th edition of maritime bilateral exercise saw the incorporation of Thailand’s navy, which expanded the scope. 5th Defense Ministers Dialogue in 2018 broadened to deal with the emerging impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on defense and security engagements[14].
Along with Singapore's assistance, the overall number of COVID- infected persons and cases were included under the radar of both the nation and assist in curbing the cases in East Asia. Similar ideological parameters allowed Narendra Modi’s Act East Policy to unlock India full potential through greater openness and integration with the region. ASEAN India dialogue has Singapore as its coordinator and constructs a ridge for India to deepen the partnership between Asian partners and India. Accounting India 1991’s liberalization policy to start integrating with other countries and if you involve the key agreements that have taken place including Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (2005), Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (1994, 2001), Bilateral Air services Agreement( 1968, 2013) and a MOU on Foreign Office Consultations and Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (2002), Singapore stands as of one of the most crucial and significant partners for India to strengthen its influence and progress in Indo-Pacific, and East Asia 5th India-Singapore Defense Ministers Dialogue involved resolving the limitations posed by COVID- 19 pandemic to overcome the defense engagement cooperation that is currently undergoing[15]. The solution involved in term of Singapore promising for providing further resources and finances for India’s vaccination drive and this potential of cooperation also saw singing of the latest Agreement on Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation between Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy.[16]
India-Singapore relations are stronger than ever in the current paradigm of East Asia and the continent. Both the countries have been able to advance into further diplomatic ties and relations on the account of the common ideological agreement. With Chinese expansion on the rise, this avenue provides a much more adventurous and productive venture for India’s Act East policy. What depends now is that how the Covid-19 pandemic’s longevity will continue to affect its relations. Despite Singapore having enabled increased financial support during the pandemic but the lasting effects of the pandemic are contributing to both the nation’s overall loss and derogation.
With China’s expansion of the One Belt and Road Initiative and continuous efforts to involve the Singaporean delegation, these advancements can keep New Delhi on its toes for the foreseeable future[17]. Furthermore, one of the biggest drawbacks of India Looking East and eventual suspicion on the Act East policy is India's commitment issues. The previous version of East policies has involved certain areas where India has not been able to commit to its full duties. As the progress on QUAD is initiated and how the USA is also advancing with its internet, it is going to be close surveillance on how New Delhi will tend to balance the power dynamics and advantage between both nations[18], but the fact cannot be changed that India’s influence on East Asia has the foundation of Singapore’s fiduciary relations. If India wants to deepen its foothold in the region and continue to counter Chinese dominance, Singapore will continue to play a crucial role in this objective. The question to the answer about what the future of the relations will be dependent on how India and Singapore will counite to retain these bonafide relations.
Notes
[1] (23th April 2020). “India- Singapore strategic partnership can contribute to prosperity in post Covid World”. Business Insider.
[2] R. Pandit. (20th January 2021). “India, Singapore to further step- up defence ties, ink submarine rescue pact.” The Times of India
[3] R.P. Rajagopalan (27th November 2020). “SITMEX: India- Singapore- Thailand complete Second Trilateral Maritime Excersies”. The Diplomat
[4] Devare, S. (2006). India & Southeast Asia: Towards Security Convergence. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
[5] Ibid.
[6] R.P. Rajagopalan (27th November 2020), ibid.
[7] L. K. Whye (16th September 2019). “India, Singapore reaffirm strategic partnership”. ANI.
[8] Ibid.
[9] S. Chowdhury (2nd April 2021). “We see great potential for deeper cooperation in digital economy with India,’ says Singapore Minister”. Timesnownews.
[10] PTI (25th March 2021). “Resolution passed reaffirming importance of US partnerships in Indo- Pacific”. Business Standard.
[11] Singh, Sinderpal & Rahman, Syeda. (2010). India?Singapore Relations: Constructing a “New” Bilateral Relationship. Contemporary Southeast Asia. 32. 70-97. 10.1355/CS32-1D.
[12] Ibid.
[13] (10th July 2020). “PM Modi’s 2018 Singapore visit enhanced India’s presence in ASEAN: Indian diplomat”. The Economic Times
[14] D.R. Chaudhury. (4th March 2021). “India, Singapore must focus on fintech, industry 4.0 and smart cities to elevate their strategic partnership”. The Economic Times
[15] Ibid.
[16] S. Chowdhury (2nd April 2021), ibid.
[17] (28th August 2020). “India, Singapore resolve to expand defence ties”. Outlook India
[18] ANI (20th January 2021). “India, Singapore Reaffirm Bilateral Ties in 5th Defence Ministers Dialogue”. Business World
Pic Courtesy: Joshua Ang at unsplash.com
(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)
