India, Singapore to deepen cooperation in defense tech, AI, unmanned vessels

By Anadolu staff

India and Singapore on Thursday decided to deepen cooperation in various areas, including defense tech, artificial intelligence (AI), and unmanned vessels.

This comes as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a “wide-ranging discussion” with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong, who is on an official visit to the South Asian nation.

The leaders agreed to adopt a “forward-looking and substantive roadmap for “comprehensive strategic partnership, that would deepen cooperation in eight areas, including defense and security cooperation, according to a joint statement issued by the Indian Foreign Ministry.

They signed five memoranda of understanding in areas that expand digital assets innovation, green shipping, aviation training, skills development, and space industry cooperation.

The two sides would deepen defense technology cooperation in emerging areas such as quantum computing, AI, automation, and unmanned vessels, the ministry said.

It added that the two countries would continue military cooperation and exchanges through the joint conduct of army, naval, and air force exercises in various formats.

Modi said: “A time-bound review will be undertaken of our Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, as well as our Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)."

Bilateral trade between the two countries reached $34.26 billion in 2024-25.