Foreign relations of Singapore

Timeline

• 7 August 1965 – Singapore and Malaysia sign the separation agreement.
• 9 August 1965 – The Malaysian Parliament votes to expel Singapore from the Federation; Singapore becomes an independent republic after separating from Malaysia. Malaysia immediately recognises the new independent state of Singapore.
• 9 August 1965 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established and S. Rajaratnam becomes Singapore's first Minister for Foreign Affairs.
• 10 August 1965 – British Prime Minister Harold Wilson sends a message to Lee Kwan Yew stating that the United Kingdom would immediately recognise Singapore.
• 13 August 1965 – The number of official recognitions rises to 10.
• 2 September 1965 – S. Rajaratnam officially applies for Singapore to join the United Nations.
• 20 September 1965 – Singapore's application to the United Nations is submitted to the United Nations Security Council by Malaysia, supported by Ivory Coast, Jordan, and the United Kingdom. Singaporean civil servant Herman Hochstadt credited the submission by Malaysia as overcoming a potential veto by the Soviet Union.
• 21 September 1965 – Singapore is admitted into the United Nations as the 117th member by the United Nations General Assembly in its 1332nd Plenary Session, with the resolution passing by acclamation. Singapore's first representative to the United Nations is Abu Bakar Pawanchee.
• 15 October 1965 – Singapore becomes the 22nd member of the Commonwealth.
• April 1966 – Indonesian President Sukarno announces that Indonesia will recognise Singapore. This was made official on 7 June, and diplomatic ties were established on 7 September.
• June 1966 – The Philippines recognised Singapore.
• 8 August 1967 – Singapore becomes a founding member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
• 17 January 1968 – Britain announces its intention to withdraw its armed forces from Singapore.
• September 1970 – Singapore is admitted into the Non-Aligned Movement.
• 14–22 January 1971 – Singapore hosts the 18th Conference of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
• 15–16 April 1971 – Singapore, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand sign the Five Power Defence Arrangements.
• 31 October 1971 – The last British military forces withdraws from Singapore.
• November 1972 – The Constitution Bill passes, making constitutional changes that would remove Singapore's sovereignty require a two-thirds majority in a referendum.
• 1973 – Singapore joins General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
• March 1981 – Singapore's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Tommy Koh, assumed the presidency of the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea.
• 3 October 1990 – Singapore and People's Republic of China establish diplomatic relations.
• 11 February 1993 – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Secretariat set up in Singapore.
• 26 February 1994 – Singapore and China signed an agreement to jointly develop the Suzhou Industrial Park.
• 5 May 1994 – United States media sensationalise the caning incident of American teenager Michael P. Fay who was convicted for vandalism.
• 1 January 1995 – Inauguration of World Trade Organization, Ambassador K Kesavapany is elected for a one-year term as chairman of the General Council.
• 9–13 December 1996 – Singapore hosts the 1st WTO Ministerial Conference.
• 15 January 1998 – Singapore and United States announces agreement for US ships to use a planned $35 million naval base from 2000.
• 10 October 2000 – Singapore is elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council at the 55th session of the UN General Assembly.
• 14 November 2000 – Singapore and New Zealand sign Agreement on Closer Economic Partnership, Singapore's first bilateral Free Trade Agreement.
• 1 January 2001 – Singapore starts its two-year term in the United Nations Security Council.
• 15 January 2001 – A pipeline feeding gas to Singapore from Indonesia's Natuna field in South China Sea opens.
• 13 January 2002 – Singapore and Japan sign the Japan-Singapore Economic Agreement.
• 6 May 2003 – Singapore and United States sign the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
• 26 April 2005 – Singapore and Malaysia sign a settlement agreement concerning land reclamation in and around the Straits of Johor.
• 15–17 August 2005 – Singapore hosted a multi-national maritime interdiction exercise, codename Exercise Deep Sabre, participated by 13 countries.
• 23 August 2005 – Singapore and Australia sign a memorandum of agreement to allow Singapore Armed Forces to train on the Shoalwater Bay Training Area till 2009.
• 14 December 2005 – Singapore attends the inaugural East Asia Summit.
• 18 November 2007 – Singapore signed an agreement with China to jointly develop Tianjin Eco-city.
• 23 May 2008 – territorial dispute of Pedra Branca with Malaysia is largely settled through adjudication by International Court of Justice with Singapore getting Pedra Branca and Malaysia awarded Middle Rocks.
• 20 September 2010 – railway land owned by Malaysia through KTM is returned to Singapore in exchange for joint development of plots of land at prime locations, ending the 20-year impasse of the Points of Agreement.
• 23 November 2016 – 9 Terrex infantry carrier vehicles were detained in Kwai Chung Container Terminal at Hong Kong while en route from Taiwan. The vehicles were detained for more than two months despite diplomatic efforts by Singapore to retrieve its assets, signalling deteriorating ties with China.

Main foreign policy themes since 1965

• Formative Years : In the early years after independence, Singapore faced numerous challenges, including the need to establish its sovereignty and secure its survival. Its foreign policy focused on seeking recognition and building diplomatic relations with other countries. Singapore pursued a policy of non-alignment and sought to establish itself as a reliable partner in the international community.
• Economic Development and Trade : In the 1970s, Singapore began to prioritize economic development and trade as key pillars of its foreign policy. The government implemented pro-business policies, attracted foreign investments, and actively pursued trade agreements with various countries. Singapore also joined regional organizations like ASEAN in 1967 to enhance economic cooperation and promote stability in Southeast Asia.
• Regional Security and ASEAN : As Singapore grew economically, it became increasingly concerned about regional security. It played an active role in promoting regional stability through initiatives like the Five Power Defense Arrangements and the Zone of Peace, Freedom, and Neutrality. Singapore supported the establishment of the ASEAN Regional Forum in 1994, which aimed to enhance security cooperation and dialogue among ASEAN and its partners.
• Pragmatic Diplomacy and Bilateral Relations : Singapore's foreign policy during this period emphasized pragmatic diplomacy and building strong bilateral relations with major powers. It sought to diversify its partnerships and engaged with countries like the United States, China, and India to enhance economic ties, attract investments, and promote regional stability. Singapore also hosted several high-profile international events and conferences to bolster its diplomatic profile.
• Economic Integration and Free Trade : In the 2000s, Singapore continued to prioritize economic integration and free trade. It actively pursued bilateral and regional free trade agreements to expand market access and boost economic growth. Notable agreements include the Singapore-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with India, and participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
• Global Engagement and Multilateralism: Singapore has increasingly engaged in global affairs and actively participated in multilateral institutions. It has sought to shape global norms and contribute to issues such as climate change, sustainable development, and cybersecurity. Singapore has been assessed as one of the three potential internationally leading countries on climate policy in Asia. Singapore has played an active role in organizations like the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and ASEAN to advance its interests and contribute to international cooperation.

Foreign policy approaches

Trade agreements

International organizations

APEC

INTERPOL

G20

Diplomatic relations

Bilateral relations

Africa

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Djibouti Americas Country Formal Relations Began Notes Argentina Asia Strategic Relations Following its independence in 1965, Singapore was concerned with PRC-backed threats as well as domination from Malaysia and Indonesia and sought a close strategic relationship with India, which it saw as a counterbalance to PRC influence and a partner in achieving regional security. Singapore had always been an important strategic trading post, giving India trade access to Maritime Southeast Asia and the Far East. Although the rival positions of both nations over the Vietnam War and the Cold War caused consternation between India and Singapore, their relationship expanded significantly in the 1990s; Singapore was one of the first to respond to India's "Look East" Policy of expanding its economic, cultural and strategic ties in Southeast Asia to strengthen its standing as a regional power. Economic and other ties Singapore is the 8th largest source of investment in India and the largest amongst ASEAN member nations. It is also India's 9th biggest trading partner as of 2005–06. Its cumulative investment in India totals US$3 billion as of 2006 and is expected to rise to US 5 billion by 2010 and US 10 billion by 2015. India's economic liberalisation and its "Look East" policy have led to a major expansion in bilateral trade, which grew from US$2.2 billion in 2001 to US 9–10 billion in 2006 – a 400% growth in span of five years – and to US$50 billion by 2010. Singapore accounts for 38% of India's trade with ASEAN member nations and 3.4% of its total foreign trade. India's main exports to Singapore in 2005 included petroleum, gemstones, jewellery, machinery and its imports from Singapore included electronic goods, organic chemicals and metals. More than half of Singapore's exports to India are basically "re-exports" – items that had been imported from India. In August 2005, Singapore and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand aviation rights between the two countries. On 3 October 2005, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Bali, just two days after the Bali bombings. They agreed to strengthen the fight against terrorism and also discussed cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and investment. Relations with Indonesia are generally good, though current outstanding issues include the bans on the export of sand, and granite; both of which Singapore's construction industry is reliant on. Singapore does not have any diplomatic missions in Iraq. Iraq is accredited to Singapore via its embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia. Singapore and Israel enjoy very close bilateral relations. In 1965, Israel extended aid to newly independent Singapore by sending a mission to help build Singapore's economic and defense policy. Israel's representation in Singapore was first formalized in 1968, and relations have since expanded, building strong economic ties and signing bilateral agreements, particularly in areas such as business, technology, healthcare, and defense. Singapore and Israel also hold regular cultural exchanges, through the participation of Israeli arts and artists in Singapore's events, such as the Israeli Film Festival. Despite the close relations, Israel's airline El Al does not fly to Singapore as such a route would have to pass through the airspace of Indonesia and Malaysia, and neither of the countries maintain relations with Israel. Singapore maintains an honorary consulate in Tel Aviv. Israel has an embassy in Singapore. Japan has an embassy in Singapore. Singapore has an embassy in Tokyo. Laos has an embassy in Singapore. Singapore has an embassy in Vientiane. Singapore was formerly part of Malaysia but separated in 1965 due to political differences and racial tension. There remains a high degree of economic and social inter-dependence between the two countries. For example, Singapore imports the vast majority of fresh meat and vegetables from Malaysia, and Malaysia supplies a large fraction of Singapore's fresh water according to two treaties. Many Malaysians work in Singapore, some living in Singapore as permanent residents, while many also commute from Johor Bahru daily. Bilateral relations are complex and have experienced many highs and lows over the last 40 years. Defence Singapore and Malaysia are both members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements. The two countries also routinely conduct joint military exercises to enhance bilateral ties and to heighten the professional interaction between the Singapore Armed Forces and Malaysian Armed Forces. In August 2005, the two countries concluded the 12th exercise of the series, Ex Semangat Bersatu 05 in Pahang. Disputes Singapore has several long-standing disputes with Malaysia over a number of issues. Malaysia and Singapore have clashed over the delivery of fresh water to Singapore, with Malaysia threatening to stop providing water and Singapore threatening to stop relying on Malaysia for water. Others include: Maritime boundaries Moving of the Singapore station of Malaysia's Keretapi Tanah Melayu from Tanjong Pagar to Bukit Timah. See Malaysia-Singapore Points of Agreement of 1990 and moving Malaysia's immigration checkpoint from the railway station to the Causeway. This is resolved on 24 May 2010 when Malaysian PM Najib Razak agreed to shift the station and immigration checkpoint from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands. Withdrawal of Central Provident Fund funds by West Malaysians. Improved relationship Relations between the two countries has improved in recent years, especially since the transition of leadership in both governments. These relations improved by leaps and bounds when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took over the post as prime minister. Mahathir Mohamad, the ex-Prime Minister, still raises claims regarding Singapore's intentions in a number of matters, such as land reclamation. On 26 April 2005, the two countries signed a settlement agreement concerning Singapore's land reclamation in and around the Straits of Johor. Both countries exchanged many high-level visits in 2004 and 2005, including the visit to Singapore on 12 January 2004 by Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who had just taken over from Mahathir in October 2003. Singapore has a consulate in Ulan Bator. Mongolia has an embassy in Singapore. Myanmar has an embassy in Singapore. Singapore has an embassy in Yangon. Singapore is one of Myanmar's top investors and trading partners. In the past, Singapore faced scrutiny from Burmese democracy activists, exacerbated by Lee Kuan Yew's comments in 1996. After the 2021 Myanmar coup, Singapore adopted stronger stances against the military regime and pressuring the regime to cooperate with ASEAN's peace plan. However, Singapore continues to be a major source of equipment for the junta's weapons factories. Singapore and North Korea established diplomatic relations on 8 November 1975. North Korea maintains an embassy in Singapore while the latter has accredited a non-resident ambassador to Pyongyang from Beijing since 1990. The current North Korea ambassador to Singapore is Jong Song Il. Pakistan has a High Commission in Singapore. Singapore has a consulate in Islamabad. Philippines has an embassy in Singapore. Singapore has an embassy in Manila. Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Singapore. Singapore has an embassy in Riyadh and a consulate-general in Jeddah. The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Singapore and the Republic of Korea began on 8 August 1975. Singapore has an embassy in Seoul. South Korea has an embassy in Singapore. During British rule in Singapore and then under British Malaya before independence, Singapore and the Republic of China had diplomatic relations. When Singapore became independent in 1965 from Malaysia, it continued to recognise the Republic of China on Taiwan. When Singapore established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1990, Singapore wanted to maintain its good relationship with Taiwan and it strongly bargained with the PRC to maintain close relations with Taiwan. Both countries have had unofficial relations since the independence of Singapore and establishment of Republic of China rule over the island of Taiwan. Taiwan has a representative office in Singapore. Conversely, Singapore is represented by what is known as the Singapore Trade Office in Taipei in Taiwan. The two nations have enjoyed an extensive relationship in many facets such as trade and defence, most noticeably being Singapore's establishment of military bases in Taiwan for its troops to conduct overseas training. Like Thailand where Singapore today adopted modern military training bases with, Taiwan was also under Japanese Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere influence leading up to post-World War II. Strategically, the Japanese occupation of Singapore and the Japanese occupation of Malaya was made possible and expedited because of Thai and Taiwanese varied involvements and / or assistances towards the Japanese war efforts. Since the independence of Singapore and the establishment of Kuomintang rule over the island of Taiwan, the Singapore Armed Forces adopted military training bases in Taiwan from 1975 that included combined arms exercises involving infantry, artillery, and armored units. The then prime minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew also appointed Taiwanese military personnel in training Republic of Singapore Air Force. These exercises, engaging as many as 10,000 troops at one time, provided officers a chance to simulate wartime conditions more closely and gain experience in the command and control of operations involving several battalions. With waning Taiwan diplomatic significance, the People's Republic of China has since succeeded the governance of mainland China in the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War. Attempts by the 2016 newly elected Taiwanese government in turning to South East Asian nations such as Singapore is subtly deemed as separatist. Agreements In 2010, bilateral trade talks commenced to explore the feasibility of an economic cooperation agreement between the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu and Singapore, both of whom are members of the World Trade Organization. On 12 September 2012, former Taiwanese Vice-President Lien Chan announced that talks between Taiwan and Singapore on a proposed economic partnership agreement are expected to be finalised by the end of the year. The successful implementation of this economic partnership would mean that both countries will enjoy free trade between one another. Cooperation Business and trade The Taipei Representative Office in Singapore has been actively promoting trade as well as encouraging mutual start-ups by businesses and enterprises between the two countries. Moreover, in 2009, the Singapore Trade Office in Taipei was honoured for its role in developing close economic ties between the two sides. Taiwan is Singapore's ninth largest trading partner, with bilateral trade topping S$35 billion in 2008. Military When Singapore started building up its military soon after independence, the Republic of China was one of the few places to offer assistance by providing training areas to the Singapore Armed Forces to conduct military exercises. This was crucial to Singapore as it was a small country which suffered from land-scarcity making it difficult to conduct large-scale military exercises for its soldiers. Since 1975, the Singapore Army has used bases in Taiwan for military training that included combined arms exercises involving infantry, artillery, and armoured units. These exercises, engaging as many as 10,000 troops at one time, provided officers a chance to simulate wartime conditions more closely and gain experience in the command and control of operations involving several battalions. Although China has officially offered Singapore to shift its training facilities to Hainan Island, this has been refused in order to maintain its policy of neutrality between the 'One China' policy and its relations with Taiwan. It also signals that Taiwan-Singapore ties are strong. Controversies Just before Singaporean prime minister Lee Hsien Loong took office from the then incumbent Goh Chok Tong, he made a visit to Taiwan to familiarise himself with the latest developments there. The Taiwanese media, however, made use of this opportunity to publicise his visit with the agenda of highlighting it to Mainland China. Controversy struck swiftly, with PRC Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhang Qiyue accusing Lee of "hurting the feelings of 1.3 billion Chinese". Meetings and business transactions between Singapore and the PRC were reportedly frozen overnight. As a result, in his maiden National Day Rally speech, Lee criticised the Taiwanese leadership and populace of overestimating the support they would receive if they were to declare Taiwan independence. Later that year in September, Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo cautioned the United Nations General Assembly about the dangers of letting the cross-strait relationship deteriorate. This led to Taiwan's foreign minister, Mark Chen, to famously describe Singapore as a 'nation no bigger than a piece of snot' in Chinese. Supporters of Taiwanese independence also burnt the flag of Singapore as a sign of protest against George Yeo's comments at the United Nations. This did not go down well with the majority of the Singaporean public. These incidents marked an all-time low in foreign relations between the two sides although Chen did make a formal apology later regarding his comments. Issue of Taiwanese independence On 3 October 1990, the People's Republic of China and Singapore established formal diplomatic relations. Relationship between the two sides has since improved tremendously.. Even so, Singapore has always wanted to maintain its warm ties with Taiwan in order to show its neutrality on cross-strait relations. Although it officially supports the 'One China' policy, Singapore is the only foreign country to currently own military bases in Taiwan and it continues to send its troops there for an annual military exercise known as Exercise Starlight. The PRC has continuously advocated the possibility of moving some or all of these military facilities to Hainan, although this may not be taken up due to sensitivities in diplomatic relations between Singapore and her largely Islamic neighbours. Singapore has an embassy in Bangkok. Thailand has an embassy in Singapore. Singapore has an embassy in Ankara. Turkey has an embassy in Singapore. Trade volume between the two countries was US$808 million in 2015. There are direct flights from Istanbul to Singapore. Singapore has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai. UAE has an embassy in Singapore. Singapore has an embassy in Hanoi and a consulate-general in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam has an embassy in Singapore. Europe Country Formal relations began Notes Austria Oceania Country Formal Relations Began Notes Australia International humanitarian effort In December 2004, during the disaster wrought by the massive tsunami that hit Indonesia, the Singapore Armed Forces dispatched three Endurance class landing platform dock ships – RSS Endurance, RSS Persistence and RSS Endeavour off the coast of Meulaboh, one of the worst hit areas where all road access was cut off. On board these ships were medical and engineering teams and volunteers with NGOs. The ships were also loaded with medical supplies and heavy equipment to help clear roads and debris. Six Chinook helicopters and two Super Puma helicopters were also dispatched to Aceh, two Chinook helicopters and two Super Puma helicopters to Phuket, Thailand. C130s were also dispatched to ferry relief supplies to tsunami-hit areas. In September 2005, Singapore responded to the relief effort of Hurricane Katrina in the United States, by sending four CH-47 Chinook helicopters and forty-five RSAF personnel. In the aftermath of the 2005 Bali bombings, the Singapore Armed Forces sent a medical team, composed of two doctors, two nurses, and two paramedics, to Bali to help treat victims of the blasts at the Sanglah Hospital. In October 2005, the Singapore Civil Defence Force dispatched a 44-member Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team to Pakistan to help in the relief and rescue operations following the 2005 Kashmir earthquake Participation in the war on terrorism Singapore is affected by the war on terrorism, as demonstrated by the Singapore embassies attack plot. During 15–17 August 2005, Singapore hosted a multi-national maritime interdiction exercise, codename Exercise Deep Sabre as part of the Proliferation Security Initiative to address the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Launched at Changi Naval Base and conducted in the South China Sea, the exercise involves some 2,000 personnel from 13 countries. Singapore hosted the Regional Special Forces Counter-Terrorism Conference from 21 to 25 November 2005. On 6 May 2004, then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong delivered a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, D.C., titled "Beyond Madrid: Winning Against Terrorism", expressing Singapore's view on the controversial and often criticised war on terrorism. International effort on anti-piracy In August 2005, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore agreed to conduct joint anti-piracy patrols in the Malacca Strait to increase security in one of the world's busiest sea lanes. Thailand later also joined in this effort. Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore conduct trilateral, coordinated maritime surface patrols, known as the Malacca Strait Sea Patrols, and coordinated airborne surveillance under the 'Eyes in the Sky' arrangement. Other forms of cooperation between the littoral states include an agreement between Malaysia and Indonesia in 2007 to increase joint anti-piracy training in the Malacca Strait, the Surface Picture Surveillance System launched by Singapore and Indonesia in May 2005, and the Malacca Strait Patrol Information System to share information about shipping in the Malacca Strait. Consulates In addition to embassies or High Commissions, Singapore maintains consulates or honorary consulates in Austria, Bangladesh, Canada, Chile, People's Republic of China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States of America and Vietnam.