By Nishali Ranasinghe
Upon gaining Independence from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore became a sovereign state, showcasing a rapid economic development under then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. As a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, and multi-religious nation with no natural resources, Singapore’s future had to be reliant on the connections of other states. Thus, necessitating a clear foreign policy. A foreign policy of a nation has the ability to construct an image of that particular nation and identify its characteristics. Laura (2008, as cited in Bojang, 2018) states that George Modelski defines foreign policy as “the system of activities evolved by communities for changing the behavior of other states and for adjusting their activities to the international environment". Likewise, foreign policy must illuminate the ways states attempt to change, and succeed in changing, the behavior of other nations.
Currently, Singapore is a rising power among the world's small states and holds a uniquely influential position in the Southeast Asian region and beyond. The question arises as to how Singapore became a rising power despite the challenges presented by fluctuating global and regional affairs. It must also be noted that Singapore's foreign policy has remained relevant to the changing world and regional contexts, assisting the country in navigating these rapid changes. Thus, this foreign policy should be analyzed in different categories, offering valuable lessons to other states whether small, medium, or large on how to navigate transformations and reach their objectives and fullest potential.
An
analysis of the relevance of foreign policy under varied factors
Notwithstanding the rapid changes in the regional and global landscapes, Singapore has attained its current standings. The primary reason for this success could be the consistent relevance of its foreign policy, which has effectively adapted to the evolving landscapes. Consequently, the foreign policy of Singapore will be analyzed through several perspectives, including fundamental aspirations, changing geopolitical landscapes, economic landscapes, and technology landscapes.
1. Analyzing the Relevance of Fundamentals
Like any
other country, Singapore’s foreign policy is grounded in fundamentals and
principles. These core fundamentals articulate the nation's aspirations, which
serve as a bedrock, robust, foreign policy.
Note: Adapted and organized by Ranasinghe based on information from Singapore Government, Our fundamentals, SG101, 2023
The graph above illustrates the fundamentals that have laid the groundwork for the creation of Singapore’s foreign policy. An analysis of these fundamentals reveals two primary aspects: the external, encompassing regional and global considerations, and the internal, reflecting local factors. Regarding regional and global aspects, these fundamentals articulate the underlying principles that Singapore respects, which inform its decision-making. Additionally, the principles to which it adheres are internationally recognized, enhancing the value of its foreign policy. Moreover, Singapore has emphasized regional collaboration and advocated for ASEAN, demonstrating its interest and mutual respect for its neighboring countries. This suggests a preference for more regional collaboration over-reliance on larger powers.
Similarly, the fundamentals
have been structured to clearly reflect Singapore's national character. This
provides a distinct advantage for Singapore in its interactions with both
external and internal actors,
as they gain a clear understanding of Singapore's principles and intentions.
This strengthens Singapore's trust and credibility among all actors,
contributing to its current standing in the global arena. Speaking at the
University of Singapore Society in July 1966, the then-Minister for Foreign
Affairs, S. Rajaratnam highlighted the challenges that Singapore faced then and
would encounter in the future.
“In a nutshell, our problem is how to make sure that a small
island with a teaming population and no natural resources to speak of, can
maintain, even increase, its living standards and also enjoy peace and security
in a region marked by mutual jealousies, internal violence, economic
disintegration and great power conflicts." (SG101, 2023).
His words effectively
articulate the challenges faced by a small state. A review of the fundamentals
reveals that Singapore has directly addressed these
challenges by highlighting its national interests and aspirations. The clarity,
simplicity, and precision of these fundamentals emphasize the consistency and
relevance of Singapore's foreign policy. Moreover, Singapore's forward-looking
approach is evident in its foreign policy. Singapore has mastered the art of
achieving its national interests by navigating these challenges through a strong,
coherent foreign policy, which has been instrumental to its success.
2. Analyzing the relevance of adaptation to evolving geopolitical landscapes
In the contemporary world,
the geopolitical landscape has become increasingly tense and volatile through
various situations. The rise of new actors, shifting power dynamics,
globalization, technological and Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancements, and
weaponry developments are some of the reasons for a rapidly changing
geopolitical landscape. This applies to both regional and global spheres.
However, changing geopolitical landscapes are inevitable, and it is the
responsibility of all countries to adapt accordingly.
Globally, the
Russian-Ukrainian war is ongoing, and tensions in the USA-China relationship,
as well as those within Europe, have escalated since the appointment of US President
Donald Trump. Although tensions between China and Taiwan are currently dormant,
they have the potential to escalate into a full-scale conflict. These tensions
will undoubtedly affect the harmony of the Southeast Asian region and ASEAN.
Additionally, internal challenges in some countries, such as the humanitarian
crisis in Myanmar, will further pressure regional unity. To navigate these
turbulent times, Singapore, a rising small state committed to cooperation,
mutual respect, and adherence to the principles of International Law, has
focused on balancing these tensions. The Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, provided commentary regarding the ongoing
Russian-Ukrainian war to articulate Singapore's thoughts and stance in such
situations.
“We do not choose sides, we uphold principles.
Small countries must avoid becoming sacrificial pawns, vassal states or “cat’s
paws” to be used by one side against the other” (SG101, 2023).
“Standing up for our national interests may come
with some cost. Safeguarding one’s sovereignty and national interests often
requires some sacrifice and pain” (SG101, 2023).
These two statements by Dr. Balakrishnan are significant in several ways. Firstly, he affirms that Singapore is a country that operates by respecting and adhering to principles such as non-violence and the non-use of force, which are enshrined as fundamentals of its foreign policy. It is also evident that Singapore prioritizes its aspirations and national interests over alignment with any particular camp, thereby avoiding labels that could have drastic consequences. In this context, the statement also reinforces Singapore’s credibility amidst various challenges.
Additionally, the latter statement demonstrates Singapore's resolve to address any challenge in order to protect its national interests and sovereignty. This underscores that Singapore should not be underestimated, despite being a small state, and that it is prepared to commit to protecting its sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, and national interests at all costs. Given that Singapore is not the only state facing instability, it has also taken the initiative to build capacity and cooperation among other Southeast Asian states. This is because the failure of one state could create a ripple effect across the entire region. Singapore has identified that open, exclusive, rules-based collaboration and cooperation within ASEAN is vital, and therefore, has integrated it as a key fundamental in its foreign policy.
Beyond traditional security
threats, non-traditional security threats have surged in the 21st century. To
combat these, Singapore has proactively engaged with other states globally,
fostering open and inclusive ties. In this context, Singapore's foreign policy
assists the country in engaging with states outside the region by articulating its
core principles and providing a clear understanding of its national character.
The co-founding of The
Forum of Small States (FOSS) symbolizes Singapore's position in the global
arena, particularly among small states. According to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Singapore (n.d.), Singapore established FOSS in 1992 as an informal and
non-ideological grouping of small states in New York, and has since served as
its Chair. FOSS now comprises 108 countries across all geographical regions and
development levels, meeting several times a year to discuss issues of concern
to small states. This forum is built on mutual trust, capacity building,
strengthened connections, knowledge and experience sharing, and mutual
understanding. As a result, it facilitates the resolution of common issues such
as climate change, domestic violence, and the negative consequences of
artificial intelligence, and so many contemporary issues.
Singapore's active
participation and commitment to understanding each member country is
commendable. In 2015, Singapore launched the FOSS Fellowship Programme to
foster better understanding and closer cooperation among FOSS states. Under the
Fellowship Programme, Ambassadors based in cities where FOSS Chapters exist are
invited to Singapore for study visits, where they can exchange views on
development challenges with Singapore’s leaders and policymakers. As of 2020,
Singapore has hosted 88 Ambassadors from 62 countries under the Fellowship
Programme (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore, n.d.).
Beyond FOSS, Singapore is
also a part of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). According to the
United Nations (n.d.), SIDS are concerned with Sustainable Development Goals
such as zero hunger, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable
and clean energy, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life
below water, life on land, and partnerships for the goals. According to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore (n.d.), Singapore has offered special
technical assistance packages for SIDS since 1999. By finding common ground and
assisting one another, Singapore has established itself as a highly trusted
partner. This can also be considered as a step to demonstrate that Singapore is
more interested in collaborating on non-traditional issues that hinder human
development, human security, and human rights, rather than being politically
aligned with any particular camp or party. Collaborating on common issues and
non-traditional security threats is a perfect way to demonstrate that Singapore
is not a threat to rising powers and can be a good friend to all. Balancing
super, medium, and small powers reduces potential threats to Singapore and fosters
positive relations with all states.
3. Analyzing the relevance
of adaptation to economic landscapes
The
relevance of a country's foreign policy can also be measured through its
adaptation to the regional and global economic landscape. Adapting to evolving
economic landscapes is crucial for any nation. Nonetheless, economic factors
are dominant and intertwined with other elements such as politics, social
dynamics, digital advancements, and environmental concerns. In the current
global context, the economic landscape is highly volatile for numerous reasons.
Firstly, a new wave of trade wars emerged during the presidential term of
Donald Trump, creating a fragile global economic landscape. Although China,
Europe, Canada, India, and Mexico were significantly impacted, the effects were
felt regionally as well. This is primarily due to the globalization of trade
and the interconnectedness of economies, and that no country can operate in
isolation. Secondly, the digitalization of the economy and the rise of cryptocurrencies
also impact the global economy. While cryptocurrencies are considered economic
innovations, they carry negative consequences such as economic instability,
effects on national currencies and trade regulators, and an increase in illicit
activities like money laundering. Regionally, in Southeast Asia, the rise of
innovations, manufacturing, and tourism has significantly impacted the economy.
However, the growth and impact of these sectors are contingent on rapidly
changing global affairs, as the Southeast Asian region is connected to major
markets like the USA and China. Cushman & Wakefield (2024) notes that in
the Southeast Asian region, the influence of Chinese investments is
increasingly felt due to evolving economic landscapes and the shifting dynamics
of its real estate market.
Singapore recognizes the unsteady nature of the global economic landscape. It has prioritized identifying new areas for cooperation and adapting to evolving scenarios. This emphasis is reflected in its fundamental principles. Despite its size and lack of natural resources, Singapore is an economically strong state with one of the world's highest economies. After rapid industrialization in the 1960s lifted the island nation’s development trajectory, manufacturing became the main driver of growth. In the early 1970s, Singapore reached full employment and joined the ranks of Hong Kong SAR, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan, China, a decade later as Asia’s newly industrializing economies. The manufacturing and services sectors remain the twin pillars of Singapore’s high value-added economy (World Bank, 2024)
To achieve this status in the region and globally, Singapore has prioritized several factors. For example, Singapore's Financial Services Industry Transformation Map (ITM) aims to strengthen its position as a leading international financial center in Asia (Monetary Authority of Singapore, 2017). The map highlights an overall vision that includes becoming a top global financial center in Asia, connecting global markets, supporting Asia’s development, and serving Singapore’s economy. The importance of this vision underpins the fundamentals of Singapore's foreign policy. It also underscores their commitment to building economies not only in the Southeast Asian region but across all of Asia. Singapore's clear ambition to link regional markets with global markets indicates that it is not dismissing or ignoring major players in this field, suggesting a willingness to collaborate with them in the long run.
Apart from the above, another initiative that distinguishes Singapore from the rest of the small states is the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). The SCP was established to offer various training programs to share Singapore’s development experiences with other developing nations. It has worked with more than 50 local and international partners, nearly 150,000 government officials from 180 countries, territories, and intergovernmental organizations. The specialty of the SCP is that it helps Singapore to find new other partners, which makes them less reliant on the big powers. It also allows Singapore to make good connections not just with states, but also with INGOs, NGOs and other international actors. Another instance is that Singapore works hand in hand with the World Trade Organization.
As a small and open economy with a high reliance on trade, Singapore is a strong supporter of an open and rules-based multilateral trading system that is embodied by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) (Ministry of Trade and Industry, n.d.). This underscores the primary fundamentals of Singapore's foreign policy. It is important to note that these initiatives are all guided by the country's national interests. As these national interests are clearly articulated in their foreign policy, it can be concluded that Singapore's foreign policy is relevant to the evolving economic landscape, both regionally and globally.
4. Analyzing the relevance of adaptation to technological
landscapes
Singapore, as a rising state, aspires to become a ‘Smart Nation’ and has been working towards this goal since the 1980s. However, the technological landscape can be viewed as relatively recent compared to other landscapes. This does not diminish its importance. In fact, the technological landscape is one of the most rapidly evolving and plays a pivotal role in all the aforementioned factors. In the present context, numerous challenges have increased over time. For instance, the current technological competition among superpowers can cause issues for the Southeast Asian region, as it comprises sub-players in this field and is likely to be caught in potential conflicts. This will impact their supply chains and manufacturers of semiconductors, electronics, computer devices, etc.
Furthermore, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its negative impacts are increasing daily. From spreading misinformation and disinformation to exacerbating climate change, these impacts take a toll on people indiscriminately, thus becoming a non-traditional security threat. Another challenge is posed by Digital Sovereignty. According to Svantesson, (2019, as cited in CTIC, 2023, p. 28), nation-states with different visions are seeking to increase their control over the Internet, primarily by using national tools rather than transnational cooperation and coordination. The rise of Digital Sovereignty can be extremely challenging for a small country like Singapore. In the same report, the challenges it poses to Singapore are described as follows.
‘The pursuit of digital sovereignty by different
states poses numerous challenges for Singapore. It has drastically escalated
the likelihood of an impending “splinternet” — the situation where, rather than
a singular, unified global Internet, governments isolate the Internet in
national or regional networks with separate infrastructure that cannot interact
with one another. However, as a regional hub that is highly connected with the
rest of the world, such fragmentation would threaten Singapore’s economy,
connectivity and cybersecurity, amongst many other impacts. Hence, it is
critical that Singapore actively monitors and responds to this development’
(CTIC, 2023, p.28).
Given the
aforementioned challenges, Singapore's journey to become a ‘Smart Nation’ has
been complex. According to the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office
(n.d.), Singapore has undertaken numerous innovative initiatives, such as the
launch of the Singapore ONE (Online Network Exchange) network in 1997 and the
implementation of a nationwide broadband network. Since then, Singapore has
worked to maintain its regional leadership. The launch of National AI Strategy
1.0 (NAIS 1.0) established the technological and AI ecosystem in Singapore, and
the recent development, National AI Strategy 2.0 (NAIS 2.0), is targeted to
expand beyond the region and engage in collaboration with international players
in the field. Singapore's ascent as a global tech powerhouse is anchored on the
pillars of innovation, business networks, and robust tech infrastructure. By
actively fostering collaboration with local and international entities, the
government solidifies the nation's position as a preferred destination for tech
companies seeking growth (Singapore Economic Development Board, 2023).
All the
aforementioned achievements and initiatives would not have been successful
without a strong and adaptive foreign policy capable of withstanding change. Especially
in this landscape, where technology changes and innovates rapidly, countries
can struggle to keep pace. Recognizing this challenge, Singapore has taken
progressive steps since the 1980s, and has now established its position
regionally and globally. The commitment of the government, as well as the
acceptance and willingness of Singaporeans, should be acknowledged, as they
have played a vital role in transforming Singapore into a ‘Tech Hub’. To garner
support from internal and external parties, Singapore ensured a clear foreign
policy that adheres to international rules and policies, facilitating
collaboration with regional and global actors. Prioritizing ASEAN countries
before engaging with global players was a strategic move in safeguarding close connections
with neighboring countries and international partners in this landscape.
Conclusion
Singapore's
foreign policy is designed to facilitate the achievement of its targets and
goals. This includes maintaining sovereignty, territorial integrity, political
independence, supporting multilateralism, and building open, exclusive
connections with various actors in the international system. The relevance of
Singapore's foreign policy was analyzed through four interconnected layers. The
discussion began by examining the significance of the fundamentals and
principles of foreign policy, followed by an analysis of its relevance amidst
geopolitical tensions, economic changes, and technological advancements. It
became evident that being a small nation, Singapore has advanced significantly
compared to other small states globally. The balancing act of achieving
national aspirations, cultivating connections with international actors, and
maintaining a clear stance is challenging. However, Singapore has managed to remain
in the spotlight without appearing threatening to other nations and
stakeholders. Therefore, Singapore's foreign policy can be seen as relevant and
has helped the country maintain its status while maximizing benefits from both
regional and global actors and institutions.
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