Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on October 12, 2022, at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, its strong support for the ASEAN-India partnership as a key pillar for regional security and cooperation.
The meeting saw significant progress in various areas, including strengthening defense ties between ASEAN member states and India, enhancing maritime cooperation to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and promoting people-to-people exchanges through education and culture programs.
Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, emphasized the importance of ASEAN-India relations in addressing shared regional challenges such as climate change, non-traditional security threats, and economic development.
Enhancing Defense Cooperation
The meeting also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation between ASEAN member states and India. This marks a significant milestone in strengthening regional security and building trust among nations.
- Singapore supports the expansion of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) to include more member states, promoting greater regional coordination on defense issues.
- The MOU aims to enhance cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, disaster management, and joint military exercises.
Maritime Cooperation and Free Navigation
ASEAN-India maritime cooperation was also a key focus area, with efforts aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Singapore supports the ASEAN Maritime Forum’s (AMF) mission to promote regional stability and confidence-building measures.
- Singapore co-hosted a maritime exercise with India and other ASEAN countries, demonstrating our commitment to regional cooperation on maritime security issues.
- Our government encourages the AMF to continue its work in promoting dialogue and cooperation among regional stakeholders.
This announcement marks a significant development in Singapore’s efforts to strengthen regional security and cooperation. The country remains committed to fostering strong ties with ASEAN nations and other like-minded partners, addressing shared challenges through collaborative efforts.