India to play bigger global role as world becomes multipolar: Singapore FM tells Jaishankar

India will have a growing global role as the world moves steadily toward a multipolar order, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said after talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday.

During his visit to Singapore, Jaishankar also met President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.

https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1944239632583209382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

After his meeting with Balakrishnan, Jaishankar said Singapore is central to India’s Act East Policy. From Singapore, he will travel to China.

https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1944241496628326673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

India and Singapore upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit last September. Balakrishnan said in a social media post, “As the world inexorably transitions into multipolarity, India will play an increasingly important role as one of these major poles of opportunity.”

Both sides agreed to hold the third India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable in New Delhi soon. According to the External Affairs Ministry, they reviewed progress on outcomes from PM Modi’s visit and the second round of the ministerial roundtable.

Key focus areas in India-Singapore ties include investments, industrial parks, semiconductors, infrastructure, skill development, and connectivity.

The two countries also exchanged views on ASEAN, the Indo-Pacific, and other global developments.

Jaishankar also met Teo Chee Hean, former Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, who is the chairman-designate of Temasek Holdings.

After Singapore, Jaishankar will visit China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting. It will be his first visit to China since the deadly Galwan clashes.