India, Singapore discuss bilateral defence ties

SINGAPORE: Defence Secretaries of India and Singapore met here today to oversee and advance the bilateral defence relationship, as well as discuss areas of defence cooperation and strategic developments of mutual interest.

India's Defence Secretary R K Mathur co-chaired the 9th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD) with Singapore's Permanent Secretary (Defence) Chan Yeng Kit.

Established under the India-Singapore Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) signed in 2003 and inaugurated in March 2004, the DPD serves as a regular forum for both countries to oversee and advance the bilateral defence relationship, as well as discuss areas of defence cooperation and strategic developments of mutual interest.

As part of his visit, Mathur called on Second Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing earlier today.

Mathur also visited the Information Fusion Centre and toured the Republic of Singapore Navy's formidable-class stealth frigate RSS Formidable at Changi Naval Base.

The statement said Mathur's visit underscores the warm and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and India, strengthened by the DCA as well as the Air Force and Army Bilateral Agreements signed in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Besides the DPD, the two defence establishments also interact regularly through high-level visits, professional exchanges and defence technology cooperation, said the statement.