Singapore/New Delhi: Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman concluded her October 8–11 visit to Singapore after a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral investment, financial connectivity and economic cooperation.
During the visit, Sitharaman met Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong, and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
The discussions reviewed progress under the fourth India–Singapore Ministerial Roundtable and explored ways to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, strengthen India–ASEAN cooperation and expand regional economic ties ahead of Singapore’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2027.
Sitharaman held a business roundtable with representatives of major global financial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase, BlackRock, Deutsche Bank, Temasek, Carlyle and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. Discussions covered India’s economic outlook, policy reforms, global market developments and opportunities to increase investments in Indian assets.
Separate meetings with institutional investors, banks and corporations focused on potential investments in infrastructure, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, data centres, renewable energy, manufacturing, healthcare, financial services and trade finance.
The minister encouraged investors to explore opportunities through the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) and GIFT International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC). Participants expressed interest in expanding their engagement with the Indian market.
Meetings with Singapore’s financial authorities, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore, explored asset tokenisation, digital money, central bank digital currencies and interoperable settlement systems.
Discussions also covered semiconductor manufacturing, AI-related infrastructure, skilled workforce development, renewable energy, electric mobility, aviation maintenance and food processing.
Engagements with the Singapore Business Federation focused on stronger business-to-business partnerships, targeted business matching and potential visits by Singaporean business delegations to India.
Sitharaman was accompanied by the NIIF chief executive, the chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority and senior officials of the Department of Economic Affairs. The visit aimed to translate policy discussions into investment opportunities and stronger long-term economic ties between the two countries.
