MoU between India and Singapore

In News

• Recently, the Cabinet approved a MoU between India, Singapore on Science, Technology and Innovation.

About the MOU

• Aim and Objective: 
  • The MoU will provide a mechanism and help in creating an ecosystem that will promote innovation and entrepreneurship in both countries leading to new technology creation, manpower training, and IP generation through collaboration.
  • To encourage, develop and facilitate cooperation between India and Singapore in fields of common interest in science, technology and innovation.
• Area of mutual interest:
  • Agriculture and food science and technology;
  • Advanced manufacturing and engineering;
  • Green economy, energy, water, climate and natural resources;
  • Data science, Emerging Technologies;
  • Advanced Materials; and
  • Health and biotechnology.

Significance of the move

• Atmanirbhar Bharat: The new knowledge and technology development through activities implemented under this cooperation will provide impetus to Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship: The MoU will provide a mechanism and help in creating an ecosystem that will promote innovation and entrepreneurship in both countries leading to new technology creation, manpower training, IP generation through collaboration.
• Employment: The activities envisaged in the MoU will involve product development and technology exchange which may lead to generation of new enterprises and employment.

India and Singapore Relations

• Cultural relations:
  • Relations between the two countries have traditionally been strong and friendly, with the two nations enjoying extensive cultural and commercial relations.
• Economic partnership:
  • India and Singapore have signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and strategic-relationship agreement in order to increase trade, investments and economic cooperation, and expanded bilateral cooperation on maritime security, training forces, and joint naval exercises, developing military technology and fighting terrorism.
  • Singapore is among India’s largest trade and investment partners in ASEAN and accounted for 22.13 % of our overall trade with ASEAN in 2014-15.
• Diplomatic relations:
  • Singapore supported India’s bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and expand its role and influence in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
  • Singapore also supported India in its war against Pakistan in 1965 and the Kashmir conflict.
• Military cooperation:
  • India and Singapore began their annual naval combat exercise, now called “SIMBEX” Several warships from India and Singapore took part in this interoperable combat exercise.
  • India and Singapore signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement, allowing the Singapore army and air force to conduct training on Indian soil.
  • India and Singapore signed the agreement for the “strategic relationship” across the board including defence and military, security and intelligence cooperation, political exchanges, enhancing trade and investment, improving financial linkages, improving air connectivity and cooperation in multilateral forums.
  • India-Singapore Bilateral Agreement for Navy Cooperation was signed which gave Indian Navy ships access to Singapore’s Changi Naval Base near the disputed South China Sea, mutual logistical support and refuelling rights at the port.

Source: PIB