Singapore and India hold Inaugural Defence Ministers' Dialogue

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) meeting with Indian Minister of Defence Manohar Parrikar at the inaugural Singapore-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue on the sidelines of the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue.

Indian Minister of Defence Manohar Parrikar met Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen for the inaugural Singapore-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue (DMD) today. Mr Parrikar is on his introductory visit to Singapore from 3 to 5 June 2016 and will attend the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD). As part of his programme, Mr Parrikar also called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean earlier today.

During the DMD, both Ministers reaffirmed the warm and long-standing defence relationship and pledged to enhance the bilateral defence partnership under the revised Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) signed in November last year. Dr Ng and Mr Parrikar recognised the importance of the Singapore-India DMD in exploring new areas of bilateral cooperation and exchanging views on strategic security and defence matters. The Ministers also acknowledged the good progress made in operationalising the revised DCA, such as the convening of the first Defence Industry Working Group in May 2016.

The Joint Statement released by Dr Ng and Mr Parrikar after the DMD reaffirmed both countries' commitment to step up collaboration and practical cooperation to address common security concerns, such as in the areas of counter-terrorism and maritime security. It also highlighted the vital role that India played in the regional security architecture, especially through its participation in and support for the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus.

Speaking to the media after the DMD, Dr Ng emphasised the long history of defence cooperation between India and Singapore. He also expressed appreciation for India's strong support for the Singapore Armed Forces' training in India. He said, "I thanked Minister Parrikar during our Defence Ministers' Dialogue for our existing agreements which allow our Air Force and Army to train (in India). We are very grateful that we can train in India under those agreements and we both agreed that we will work towards renewal of those training agreements come 2017 and 2018 (when they expire)." Mr Parrikar noted that he was "very hopeful that this association with Singapore is going to build up to much more than (a) strategic partnership", and highlighted that both countries had agreed on "expanding the interactions between the armed forces".

Singapore and India enjoy regular defence interactions in multiple areas, including defence policy dialogues, high-level visits, military exchanges and defence and technology cooperation by 31 ministerial-level delegates.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (right) meeting with Indian Minister of Defence Manohar Parrikar at the inaugural Singapore-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue on the sidelines of the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue.

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Joint Statement: from Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence of the Republic of Singapore and Manohar Parrikar, Minister of Defence of the Republic of India