India and Singapore Explore Green Economy, Shipping and Semiconductor Cooperation to Strengthen Bilateral Ties at 4th Ministerial Roundtable

India and Singapore have concluded the fourth India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR), with ministers from both countries identifying several emerging sectors—including the green economy, industrial parks, fintech, semiconductors and green shipping—to further expand bilateral cooperation. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday, the ministers reviewed progress under the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which is built around six key pillars: advanced manufacturing, connectivity, digitalisation, healthcare and medicine, skills development, and sustainability.

During the discussions, both sides welcomed the steady expansion of bilateral ties and explored opportunities in green economy, industrial parks, food security, digital connectivity, fintech, semiconductors and green shipping. India was represented by Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada.

Singapore's delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, and Transport Minister and Second Minister for Finance Jeffrey Siow. The ministers reviewed progress across several areas of the partnership. These included the growing number of transactions through the UPI-PayNow linkage, the pilot registration of Indian generic medicines in Singapore, and increased exports of Indian fruits such as litchis, mangoes, cherries and plums. Singapore has also approved Indian establishments for the export of processed poultry products.

Other initiatives discussed included the development of the National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Chennai, the upcoming fourth Singapore-India Hackathon, scheduled for November 15-17, 2026, and the planned Green Lane Initiative for semiconductors. Cooperation is also progressing on green hydrogen supply chains, while the Singapore Business Federation is set to open an office in Bengaluru. Both countries agreed to strengthen connections between Indian states and Singapore, including by encouraging regular visits by Indian chief ministers to Singapore.

Several agreements and understandings were also exchanged during the roundtable. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Singapore Food Agency signed an MoU on food safety cooperation. The agreement will facilitate technical information sharing and support smoother bilateral trade in agricultural and food products.

Another MoU between India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Singapore's Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth will promote cooperation in maritime heritage. It will facilitate exchanges between museums and institutions, including India's National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal in Gujarat.

India's Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Singapore's Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) also exchanged a Letter of Intent aimed at sharing regulatory experiences in telecommunications and broadcasting. During the visit, the Indian ministers met Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Sitharaman also held discussions with Jeffrey Siow, while Jaishankar met K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan.

Jaishankar and Balakrishnan jointly laid the foundation stone for the new Chancery-cum-Residential Building Complex of the High Commission of India in Singapore. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal addressed the India-Singapore Business Forum and met potential investors and industry representatives. He also visited an exhibition showcasing Indian agricultural products aimed at boosting exports to Singapore.

Minister of State Jitin Prasada held discussions with semiconductor industry stakeholders, alongside a dedicated Semiconductor Industry Roundtable. The two sides also received the report of the fourth India-Singapore Business Roundtable (ISBR), which serves as an advisory platform for business leaders to provide industry perspectives on bilateral economic cooperation.

The MEA said the ISMR mechanism reflects the dynamic, multidimensional and future-oriented nature of India-Singapore relations. The bilateral relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore in September 2024, while a roadmap for implementing the partnership was adopted during Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's visit to India in September 2025.