India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman began an official visit to Singapore from October 9 to 11, focusing on strengthening bilateral economic relations, attracting investment and expanding cooperation across strategic industries.
During the three-day visit, Sitharaman is scheduled to meet Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, according to an official statement.
The discussions will focus on advancing the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and implementing outcomes from the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR). Key areas of cooperation include trade, investment, digital financial connectivity, capital markets, taxation, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, workforce development and aviation.
Sitharaman will also interact with Singaporean and international investors, financial institutions and business executives through a roundtable with hedge fund and portfolio fund managers, alongside government-to-business meetings. These engagements are intended to facilitate discussions on India’s economic growth, emerging investment opportunities and changes in the global financial environment.
Her itinerary also includes individual meetings with senior executives from prominent investment firms, banks, healthcare companies and other international businesses. Organizations represented in the scheduled engagements include the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), Temasek Holdings, DBS Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, British International Investment, IHH Healthcare, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, B Capital, HPS Investment Partners and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken. She is also expected to meet representatives of Mitsui & Co. and TPG.
India is looking to strengthen Singaporean participation in its investment landscape through platforms such as the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) and Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). These institutions could offer additional channels for Singapore-based investors to participate in Indian projects and investment funds.
Singapore remains a major source of foreign investment for India. According to the official statement, cumulative foreign direct investment inflows from Singapore reached approximately $194.68 billion between April 2000 and March 2026. Singaporean institutional investors, including GIC and Temasek, also maintain substantial investments across India’s economy.
The visit underscores both countries’ efforts to deepen financial and commercial connections while creating further opportunities for cross-border investment and cooperation in emerging industries.
