‘Robust bilateral partnership’: India, Singapore discuss deeper strategic cooperation at 16th Defence Policy Dialogue

NEW DELHI: India and Singapore on Thursday held the 16th Defence Policy Dialogue in Singapore, with both sides reaffirming their strong bilateral defence partnership and discussing ways to deepen cooperation in key strategic areas.The dialogue was co-chaired by defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Singapore’s permanent secretary (defence) Joseph Leong.According to the ministry of defence, the two sides held “wide-ranging discussions” on defence cooperation, security collaboration and ways to further strengthen the strategic relationship between the two countries.In a post on X, the ministry of defence said the dialogue “reaffirmed the robust bilateral defence partnership between the two nations.”During his visit, Rajesh Kumar Singh also toured the Digital Operations Technology Centre (DOTC) of the Digital and Intelligence Service of the Singapore Armed Forces.As per the ministry, the visit provided “valuable insights into Singapore's advanced digital and technical capabilities” and explored opportunities for collaboration with the Indian Armed Forces in “niche and emerging domains of warfare.”The discussions come amid growing focus among countries on cyber capabilities, digital warfare and advanced defence technologies.The India-Singapore defence engagement has seen steady expansion in recent years through military exercises, training programmes and strategic dialogues.The previous 16th India-Singapore Defence Working Group meeting was held in Singapore on September 4, 2025.It was co-chaired by joint secretary (international cooperation) in ministry of defence Amitabh Prasad and Singapore’s director of policy office Colonel Daxson Yap.That meeting reviewed progress on decisions taken during earlier Defence Ministers’ Dialogues and bilateral defence initiatives.The deliberations were guided by the Joint Statement on the Roadmap for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Singapore, issued after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in New Delhi last year.