Credit: X/@MEAIndia

India and Singapore have agreed to increase their cooperation in maritime security. One of the key outcomes of this agreement is Singapore’s official support for India’s plan to carry out patrols in the Malacca Strait. This agreement was made during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in New Delhi on September 4, 2025.

The Malacca Strait is one of the busiest and most important sea routes in the world. It connects the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. More than 60 percent of global sea trade passes through this narrow channel. For India and other countries in the region, keeping this route open and secure is important for energy supply, trade, and economic stability.

Singapore’s support for India’s patrol plan is seen as an important step in regional security. The two countries agreed that patrolling the Malacca Strait together will help in keeping the region stable. It will also help in preventing threats such as piracy or illegal shipping activities. This move is also part of India’s Act East Policy and wider Indo-Pacific strategy, where India aims to work more closely with countries in Southeast Asia.

In addition to maritime security, India and Singapore signed five new agreements. These include deals related to green energy, new technologies, and defence partnerships. One major area of cooperation is defence technology. Both countries said they will work together in future technologies like artificial intelligence, automation, and unmanned vehicles. They also mentioned joint research in areas like quantum computing.

This marks a shift from traditional defence ties toward newer technologies that are expected to play a key role in the future. The joint statement also said that both countries will work on sustainable infrastructure and boost trade and investment in emerging sectors.

The Malacca Strait lies between the Indonesian island of Sumatra on the west and Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand on the east. It connects the Andaman Sea in the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea in the Pacific. Because it is the shortest sea route between the Middle East and East Asia, it saves time and money for shipping companies. It is also a main route for the oil supply to countries like China and Japan.

With Singapore joining hands with India on patrol duties, this new partnership is expected to make a strong impact in the Indo-Pacific. It strengthens trust between the two countries and sends a message that they are ready to work together for safety, trade, and future development.