Finance Minister holds high-level meetings with Singapore’s leadership, global investors
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman concluded her official visit to Singapore from October 8 to 11, 2026, following a series of high-level meetings with Singapore’s political leadership, global investors, financial institutions and businesses. The discussions focused on expanding bilateral investment, strengthening financial cooperation and deepening the India–Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
During the visit, Sitharaman met Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. She also held discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong and Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
The meetings reviewed progress under the fourth India–Singapore Ministerial Roundtable and explored opportunities to strengthen economic ties. Both sides also discussed India–ASEAN cooperation and regional economic engagement ahead of Singapore’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027.
As part of India’s investment outreach, Sitharaman participated in a business roundtable with representatives of leading global financial institutions and investment firms, including JPMorgan Chase, BlackRock, Deutsche Bank, PIMCO, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Carlyle, Temasek, Millennium Management, Citadel and Brevan Howard.
The discussions covered India’s economic outlook, policy reforms, financial markets and opportunities to attract international capital. Participants also exchanged views on the implications of advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and the role of infrastructure investment in supporting economic growth.
Sitharaman highlighted India’s macroeconomic fundamentals, growth prospects and ongoing reforms, encouraging institutional investors and businesses based in Singapore to explore opportunities in Indian markets. Infrastructure projects from the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) pipeline were also presented for potential investor engagement.
The Finance Minister held separate meetings with senior representatives of major financial institutions, investment firms and global corporations, including Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Wellington Management, Standard Chartered Bank, GIC, DBS Bank, Temasek, TPG, Intel, British International Investment, IHH Healthcare and CapitaLand Investment, among others.
The discussions covered investment opportunities in consumer markets, start-ups, financial technology, deep technology, healthcare, manufacturing, infrastructure and trade finance. Participants also explored financing opportunities in AI-related infrastructure, semiconductors, data centres and renewable energy.
Other areas of engagement included electric mobility, food supply chains, food processing, aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul services, sustainable finance and healthcare infrastructure.
The meetings also examined opportunities related to aircraft leasing, treasury centres and increased participation by international investors in India’s financial markets. Sitharaman encouraged investors to consider opportunities through NIIF and the GIFT International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC).
According to the Finance Ministry’s account of the visit, participating investors reaffirmed their interest in the Indian market and indicated their intention to sustain and expand investments in the country.
Financial connectivity and emerging technologies were important areas of discussion during the visit. In meetings with Singapore’s financial authorities, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore, both sides exchanged views on the tokenisation of financial assets, digital money, central bank digital currencies, interoperability and trusted settlement arrangements.
Singapore expressed interest in sharing its experience in asset tokenisation, opening avenues for further cooperation between the financial authorities of the two countries.
The discussions also covered India’s expanding semiconductor and AI ecosystems. Areas of potential collaboration included the India Semiconductor Mission, workforce development, industry-linked training and AI skills initiatives, including applications in banking and financial services.
Sitharaman also engaged with the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) to discuss ways to strengthen business-to-business links between the two countries.
The discussions focused on targeted business matching and visits by Singaporean business delegations to India to facilitate interactions with Indian companies and state governments. The SBF identified semiconductor supply chains, aviation MRO, food security and food processing as potential areas for collaboration.
A luncheon hosted by Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva also brought together senior representatives of global financial institutions, investment firms, academia and the Singapore Government to exchange views on international economic and financial developments.
The visit sought to translate ongoing policy dialogue into greater investment, business engagement and financial cooperation. The meetings identified potential areas of mutual interest and strengthened channels for follow-up discussions between Indian and Singaporean institutions and businesses.
Sitharaman was accompanied by the chief executive officer of the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, the chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority and senior officials from the Department of Economic Affairs.
Source: (PIB)
