Singapore and India Reaffirm Defence Relations Through 13th Defence Policy Dialogue

Permanent Secretary for Defence Mr Chan Yeng Kit (third from right) and India’s Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar (second from left) co-chairing the 13th Singapore-India Defence Policy Dialogue at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this afternoon.

Permanent Secretary for Defence Mr Chan Yeng Kit and India's Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar co-chaired the 13th Singapore-India Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD) at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this afternoon. During the DPD, Mr Chan and Dr Kumar expressed their commitment to enhance defence cooperation through more high-level exchanges and operational collaboration between the Singapore Armed Forces and the Indian Armed Forces. They also exchanged views on international security issues of mutual interest, such as developments in the Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean region, and the progress of regional security cooperation under the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus.

Established under the revised Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in 2015, the Singapore-India DPD serves as a regular forum for both countries to discuss mutual defence cooperation and exchange views on strategic issues and geopolitical developments.

Dr Kumar, who is in Singapore for his introductory visit from 30 September to 1 October 2019, also called on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at MINDEF earlier this morning. On 30 September 2019, Dr Kumar visited Changi Naval Base, where he boarded the Formidable-class frigate RSS Tenacious which had participated in the inaugural Singapore-India-Thailand Maritime Exercise in the Andaman Sea earlier this month. He also visited the Republic of Singapore Air Force's 143 Squadron, which had previously participated in Joint Military Training with the Indian Air Force.

Dr Kumar's visit underscores the strong and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and India. Both defence establishments interact regularly through high-level visits, exercises, and other professional exchanges.

Dr Kumar (left) calling on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) at the Ministry of Defence this morning.

Dr Kumar receiving a brief on board the RSS Tenacious yesterday.