Scope to expand air services between India, S’pore as both forge closer ties: President Tharman

BHUBANESWAR, India – There is scope to expand the air services agreement between Singapore and India, which was last revised around 10 years ago, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Jan 18.

Both countries will also work together in areas such as skills development, green energy, insurance technology, semiconductors and the building of new-generation industrial parks.

Speaking to reporters from both countries at the end of his five-day state visit to India, which concluded in the eastern state of Odisha, the President outlined his thinking on bilateral relations in the coming years.

“India aspires to be a pole in its own right, in a multipolar world,” he said. “That’s true geopolitically, but it’s also true economically. India is emerging as a major pole of the global economy.”

Singapore and India are on a new plane of collaboration which reflects these aspirations, he said, adding that India is poised to move up the ladder of skills and value, and has significant potential as an export economy.

On the air services agreement, last revised in 2013, Mr Tharman said discussions with Indian leaders during the trip have shown that they are keen to expand talks.

“The flights are full, and there is scope to work on the expansion of the air services agreement that benefits both countries and economies,” he said.

Singapore is currently linked to 17 Indian cities by air, two more than before the Covid-19 pandemic. There are over 290 weekly flights to Indian cities from Changi Airport.

India has also consistently ranked among the top 10 of Singapore’s visitor markets in recent years. In November 2024, there were 92,902 tourists from India, coming in fourth after Indonesia, China and Malaysia.

Mr Tharman also noted India’s potential to emerge as a player in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services business.

“It’s an area in which Singapore has particular strengths, and we have companies that are among the global leaders in the MRO business,” he said, adding that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also raised the topic during his visit to the Republic in September 2024.

During Mr Modi’s visit, Singapore and India had agreed to elevate their relationship to that of a comprehensive strategic partnership, which will deepen existing areas of cooperation and enable new ones.

Mr Tharman was also asked for his views on how the Indian diaspora can integrate and contribute to both Singapore and India.

While Singapore has its established Indian population, who came to the Republic generations ago, more recent arrivals “add a distinct relevance because of the networks that they still have in India”, he said.

He acknowledged that the recency of their arrival might mean they are somewhat different from Singaporean Indians, adding that assimilation and integration take time, and “we’ve got to put additional effort into integrating them”.

“That same recency is what adds texture to our relationship with India; networks that are still alive and fresh, and knowledge about India, is most useful for us,” he said, noting that they give Singapore some advantage in India, and an additional layer in the people-to-people relationship.

Mr Tharman also said all Singaporeans, including non-Indian ones, should get more exposure in India.

Non-Indian Singaporeans will have to take an interest in India and get excited by India, and all its diversity and opportunities, he added.

“It’s not possible for us in Singapore to do well in future without engaging closely with our Asean neighbours, India and China.”

Earlier in the day, Mr Tharman toured the Raghurajpur artist village in Puri. There, he and his spouse watched a traditional gotipua folk dance performance, and interacted with craftspeople skilled in ancient art forms like pattachitra, where religious and mythological motifs are painted on a cotton cloth canvas.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Ms Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam visiting the Raghurajpur Heritage Village in Odisha, on Jan 18.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

He then toured the Konark Sun Temple, a 13th-century temple, that is also a Unesco World Heritage site.

Eight memoranda of understanding were signed between Singaporean firms and schools, and the state of Odisha on Jan 18.

Mr Tharman noted that while Odisha is a state that Singapore has not engaged with heavily, it is an interesting opportunity as the state has “priorities that match Singapore’s strengths”.

“It’s a humble culture, starting off from a lower level of income and development compared to some other states, but aspiring to move up, and with the right focus – the focus on education and skills,” he said.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Mrs Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam visiting the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, India, on Jan 18.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

Join ST’s WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}