India and Singapore on Wednesday signed key Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) in the fields of digital technologies, semiconductors, health cooperation, and skill development, which will further strengthen their cooperation.

The agreements were signed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting Singapore, and his counterpart Lawrence Wong held bilateral meetings.

What are the key MoUs signed by India and Singapore?

The first MoU was signed between India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information to cooperate in digital technologies. This will help facilitate close cooperation between the two countries in the areas of digital technologies, such as DPI, cyber-security, and 5G, and emerging technologies, such as super-computing, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence. It will also enable cooperation for upskilling and reskilling workers in the digital domain.

The MoU on the India-Singapore semiconductor ecosystem partnership was signed by India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry. Under this agreement, India and Singapore will cooperate in developing a semiconductor cluster and cultivating talent in semiconductor design and manufacturing. It will also facilitate Singapore’s investments in India.

Singapore is an integral part of the worldwide semiconductor supply chain, accounting for 10 per cent of all chips produced globally and about 20 per cent of the global production of semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

Another MoU was signed by India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Singapore’s Ministry of Health on cooperation in the field of health and medicine. This agreement will facilitate joint efforts on research and innovation in areas of mutual interest and also promote closer cooperation in human resource development in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. The agreement will also complement New Delhi’s efforts to promote Indian healthcare professionals in Singapore.

The final agreement on educational cooperation and skills development was signed by India’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Singapore’s Ministry of Education. This agreement aims to promote closer cooperation in the areas of technical and vocational education and training and will complement the ongoing active collaboration in skill development.

PM Modi receives ceremonial welcome at Singapore’s Parliament House

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held talks with his counterpart Lawrence Wong.

During his opening remarks, Modi said Singapore is not only a partner nation but it is an inspiration for every developing country.

“A new chapter in – ties: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established. PM @narendramodi and PM @LawrenceWongST held a productive meeting in Singapore today,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X after the meeting.

“The leaders agreed to elevate the – ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They extensively reviewed various facets of the bilateral relationship covering areas of Advanced Manufacturing, Connectivity, Digitalisation, Healthcare & Medicine, Skills Development and Sustainability,” he said.

Modi in his opening remarks thanked Wong for the warm welcome.

Modi, who arrived in Singapore on Wednesday, received a ceremonial welcome at Singapore’s Parliament House and was welcomed by Wong. Upon arrival, Modi signed the visitors’ book at the Parliament House and met ministers and delegates from Singapore.

Modi will also visit AEM Holdings Ltd’s semiconductor facility with Singapore’s PM after a lunch hosted by senior minister Lee Hsien Loong. Following this, he will also meet with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Emeritus senior minister Goh Chok Tong.

Modi is also slated to hold a business meeting with CEOs in Singapore.

(With inputs from ANI)