Two of Indonesia's Neighbours Join Forces, Working on Semiconductors to Nuclear Technology
Singapore and India are strengthening bilateral cooperation amid growing demand for technology and food supply chains. The two countries discussed the development of the semiconductor industry, food security, workforce skills and connectivity during a ministerial meeting in Singapore on Thursday (20/8/2026).
The discussions took place at the 4th India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR), which brought together a number of ministers from both countries. Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said the meeting covered six main areas of cooperation: sustainability, digitalisation, skills development, health and medicine, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity.
“This meeting was very useful and productive. Both sides were able to speak openly and frankly,” Gan told reporters after the meeting.
One of the main focuses of the meeting was the development of the semiconductor industry. Gan said a number of semiconductor manufacturers have invested in India since the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2024.
These manufacturers are also considering bringing their suppliers, including Singaporean companies, to India. This situation is seen as opening opportunities for Singapore’s small and medium enterprises.
The two countries also discussed ways to make it easier for Singaporean companies to enter the Indian market. In addition to investment, Singapore and India discussed improving the skills of India’s workforce to support the advanced manufacturing industry.
“We hope to establish a training centre specifically for semiconductors,” said Gan. “The training must be led by industry needs so that the workforce has skills that match the requirements of the semiconductor sector,” he added.
Singapore and India also discussed efforts to ensure food supplies remain available during crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Singapore already has similar agreements with countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
“We agreed that we should explore how India and Singapore can work more closely to ensure food supplies from India to Singapore continue,” said Gan.
The cooperation was strengthened with the signing of an MoU between the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The agreement aims to strengthen technical cooperation in food safety while facilitating trade in food and agricultural products between the two countries.
The two agencies will exchange technical information on food safety, including labelling, import procedures, product recalls, emergency notifications and shipments held or rejected during the import process.
Beyond semiconductors and food, Singapore also expressed interest in cooperating with India in space and nuclear technology. However, Gan said Singapore has not yet decided whether to adopt nuclear energy, although he stressed the country needs to keep abreast of developments in the technology.
“We have not decided whether to use nuclear, but it is important for us to follow developments in technology in this field,” he said.
In addition to the MoU on food safety, Singapore and India signed an MoU on maritime heritage. The agreement between Singapore’s Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways covers information exchange and training as well as encouraging participation in international activities.
The two countries also signed a letter of intent for cooperation in telecommunications and broadcasting. The cooperation covers the exchange of information, experience and best practices, including consumer protection and broadcasting regulation.
Singapore and India’s relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in September 2024. The first India-Singapore ministerial meeting was held in New Delhi in September 2022.