India, Singapore Partner To Launch Green And Digital Shipping Corridors

India and Singapore have agreed on a detailed roadmap to deepen their strategic partnership, covering sectors like advanced manufacturing, green shipping, civil nuclear energy, skill development, and urban water management.

The announcement followed bilateral talks between PM Modi and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in New Delhi. Wong is on a three-day official visit to India, accompanied by his wife and a high-level delegation of cabinet ministers and senior officials.

According to official sources, the two leaders decided to review the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement and India’s Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN in a time-bound manner to boost mutual trade.

Singapore will help set up a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Chennai, focusing on advanced manufacturing. In addition, Singaporean institutions will support state-level skill centres in sectors like aviation, maintenance, and semiconductors.

Wong discussed the importance of the India-Singapore partnership in a world of uncertainty. He said the two countries could leverage their shared history and friendship to strengthen resilience, explore new opportunities, and contribute to regional and global stability.

The two sides also signed an agreement to develop Green and Digital Shipping Corridors. These initiatives aim to strengthen the green fuel supply chain and streamline digital port clearance.

PM Modi welcomed the inauguration of Phase II of the Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal, developed by Singapore’s PSA International, saying it would enhance India’s port capacity.

On financial cooperation, 13 Indian banks have now joined the UPI–PayNow cross-border payment system, improving digital connectivity between the two countries.

Singapore companies have expressed interest in building sustainable industrial parks in India to support manufacturing ambitions. Collaboration in semiconductors will cover skills training, research and development, supply chains, and logistics, creating new growth opportunities for both countries.

In space science, the two nations signed a new agreement and will host the upcoming India–Singapore Hackathon.

During his visit, Wong also met India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Union Ministers J P Nadda and Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss health and financial cooperation. This is Wong’s first visit to India since assuming office.

Reference: ddnews

Source: Maritime Shipping News