Vivian Balakrishnan
Singapore
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not issue advisories on wait times at overseas airports. Travellers may wish to monitor airline and airport websites, as well as news reports for real-time information on wait times and potential disruptions at specific airports.”
“When the conflict in the Middle East deteriorated and commercial flights were halted in March 2026, the Singapore Government mounted four repatriation flights from Muscat, Riyadh and Jeddah to bring stranded Singaporeans home.”
“The Government has stepped up public engagement to explain our foreign policy fundamentals and responses to key international developments to Singaporeans and to hear their views. We do this through dialogue sessions across segments of society, including students, youths, businesses and community leaders.”
“And the larger point during the Committee of Supply was that precisely, because the world is in such a difficult, prickly, volatile and dangerous state, actually, if we keep our wits about ourselves, we maintain unity and we continue to have this clear eye-realistic, but principled, approach, there are many opportunities for Singapore.”
“Well, in short, I completely agree with you. And that is why we have indeed been hosting these events and in your own capacity as a national athlete and also as an official now, you have seen how it works in practice.”
“Since 2022, about half of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) employees are women. The proportion of women in senior appointments has remained stable at about a quarter. We recognise that overseas postings are disruptive for officers with families, especially female officers who bear greater caregiving responsibilities.”
The complete record
Every one of 2,437 lines we hold for Vivian Balakrishnan, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 49.
“Singapore and Australia share a deep reservoir of mutual trust and shared strategic perspectives. This relationship has enjoyed strong bipartisan support from successive Australian governments. The Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) was launched in 2015, including more than 110 initiatives across six pillars of cooperation. Between 2015 to 2023, our trade in goods increased by about 30% to $30 billion; trade in services increased by over 170% to $50 billion; while Foreign Direct Investment from Australia grew by over 50% to $25 billion. The Agreement concerning Military Training and Training Area Development in Australia enabled valuable training access for the SAF, including the expansion of Shoalwater Bay Training Area. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong launched the upgraded CSP (CSP 2.0) with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during his Official Visit to Australia last month. CSP 2.0 has a slate of 80 new initiatives, 20 new Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Agreements as well as 11 new dialogues across five pillars of bilateral cooperation. Key initiatives under CSP 2.0 include the enhanced Defence Cooperation (eDC) MOU and MOU on Economic Resilience. Under the eDC MOU, we have: (a) enhanced reciprocal access to defence facilities in Australia and Singapore; (b) strengthened cooperation in defence science and technology, as well as defence logistics and supply chains; and (c) expanded professional exchanges between our militaries. The MOU on Economic Resilience commences negotiations for an Arrangement on Trade and Essential Supplies. We will explore options for a legally-binding commitment in the future.”
“The Commissioner of Charities considers inputs from relevant Ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when reviewing permit applications for Fund-raising for Foreign Charitable Purposes. In general, the considerations include abiding by Singapore and international law.”
“The political intention of the Global Sumud Flotilla was clear and widely publicised. It has sought to argue that Israel's interception constitutes violations of international law including customary norms as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Israeli government has said that its interception was because it would not allow the flotilla to enter an active combat zone, that is, the Gaza Strip, or breach a lawful naval blockade. This is a matter that would have to be settled at an appropriate forum. Singapore has consistently called on all parties in the Gaza conflict to comply with relevant rules of international law, including international humanitarian law. This would also include compliance with the law of the sea. These rules apply equally in respect of maritime areas affected by the conflict as well as within the Gaza Strip. Respect for international law is of critical importance to small island states, like Singapore.”
“Myanmar's situation continues to be dire almost five years since the coup. The country is effectively fragmented as it continues to face widespread conflict and instability. There have been heavy casualties, including civilians, and mass displacements as fighting continues unabated between the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military), the Ethnic Armed Organisations and the People's Defence Forces. Control over many areas remains contested with no side able to secure complete victory. The economic and humanitarian situation is deteriorating. The conflict has hindered recovery and humanitarian efforts following the devastating earthquake on 28 March 2025. Myanmar's challenges are historical and deep-rooted. As the Minister for Foreign Affairs has previously stated in this House, a durable and genuine national reconciliation can only be achieved through constructive dialogue involving all of Myanmar's key stakeholders. The immediate priority would be the de-escalation of violence, facilitating humanitarian access and creating conditions conducive for dialogue. Peace, security and inclusive participation must be the basis of the upcoming elections so that the outcome is credible and reflects the will of the Myanmar people. Ultimately, the solution must be Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led. Myanmar remains a member of ASEAN. Singapore will continue to support the efforts of ASEAN and the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, including implementing the Five-Point Consensus.”
“Singapore maintains diplomatic relations with Syria and has engaged the Syrian Transitional Government. I met with Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan Al Shaibani, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2025. Singapore is open to consider cooperation with Syria in areas where we can be of assistance.”
“The United States (US) is the superpower with indispensable leverage in the Middle East. We commend the efforts of the US and its partners Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye, which have played a crucial role in securing a ceasefire in Gaza and release of hostages. Singapore and Singaporeans have contributed S$24 million worth of humanitarian assistance to alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza. These efforts have been facilitated by our excellent relations with partners in the region, including Israel, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. We will continue to keep Singaporeans updated on the complex situation in the Middle East.”
“Beyond the immediate humanitarian assistance that we provide bilaterally to fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, there are ASEAN mechanisms that enhance the region's emergency preparedness and resilience against natural disasters which Singapore participates actively in. This includes the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER), which is a regional framework for cooperation, coordination, technical assistance and resource mobilisation in disaster management. Singapore contributes actively to the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM), which provides leadership in the implementation of the AADMER, including capacity building and sharing of best practices. Singapore hosts the annual ASEAN Strategic Policy Dialogue on Disaster Management, which brings together senior officials and leading technical experts to address challenges in ASEAN's disaster management landscape. In addition, Singapore is the co-chair of the ICT Advisory Group on Disaster Management of the ACDM, led by the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management. Under the Singapore Cooperation Programme, Singapore conducts capacity building programmes on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, working closely with international partners, such as the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.”
“We continually evaluate the network of Overseas Missions that Singapore maintains, based on factors such as where they can most effectively advance Singapore's interests in these regions. We currently have 53 Overseas Missions around the world. In view of our resource and manpower constraints, we supplement our overseas presence with the appointment of Non-Resident Ambassadors (NRAs) who travel regularly to engage foreign governments. NRAs, drawn from diverse backgrounds such as the private sector and academia, have been instrumental in representing Singapore and advancing our interests. We will consider the establishment of more Overseas Missions according to national needs and the resources available.”
“The H-1B1 visa programme applies to foreign skilled labour from Singapore under the United States (US)-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. There are no changes to H-1B1 processes at this time. The US Embassy in Singapore has stated that the US' Presidential Proclamation on 19 September 2025, which imposes a new Restriction on Entry and fee under the H-1B visa programme, is separate from and does not apply to the H-1B1 visa programme for Singapore Citizens. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) will continue to monitor this issue and engage our US counterparts as required, as we regularly do on a broad range of issues. To date, MFA is not aware of bona fide Singaporean holders of valid US visas whose rights and privileges have been affected by recent immigration enforcement actions in the US. Nonetheless, Singaporeans should take note that possession of a valid US visa does not guarantee automatic entry into the country nor one's stay for the entire validity period of the visa. Singaporeans should also be aware that each country determines its own immigration policies, including policies applicable to existing visa holders.”
“The Government has stepped up public engagement to explain our foreign policy fundamentals and approaches and to hear Singaporeans' views. Since January 2024, we have conducted about 150 dialogue sessions and workshops with students, youths and businesses. Attendance for each session ranges from approximately 20 to 1,000 participants depending on the engagement format. We collect feedback from participants at these engagements to better understand the clarity of the messages and effectiveness of the format. We aim to continuously improve on the content and delivery of the dialogues and engagements. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also been providing more content digitally on social media accounts to reach a wider audience. We are also exploring more interactive small group workshops to allow for deeper discussions with the participants.”
“I think it is premature, but if the need arises and if there is a specific programme, I will certainly be happy to share it with the House.”
“And right now, if you look at what is happening in Sudan, or even if you look at the sequela of what has happened in Syria, in Yemen, there are many other trouble spots, on which in due time, I think people will also hope that Singaporeans respond to accordingly.”
“There are many in international aid agencies involved and I would highlight first the UN itself, the UN's Work and Relief Committee, which has been doing work there for decades, in fact. I have mentioned the World Food Programme. I would also take reference from the hopefully soon-to-be established Transitional Authority. It is for people on the ground to decide what is needed and to coordinate, and then we fit in. It is not for us to impose our idea of how aid should be delivered. So, again, I hope Members understand my position of not trying to be pushy, and not trying to aim for positions on boards, and not trying to excessively draw attention, but just to quietly and effectively work in the background. The other supplementary question is why do we do this? And we do this because first it is an expression of Singaporeans' innate generosity and compassion. Second, I believe in fact, that Singapore does have some significant resonance in the Middle East. I have shared with this House before that when a Singapore delegation goes there, the diversity of the delegation – multi-religious, multiracial – has special resonance there. Because there you have an example of conflicts over land, but turbo-charged by appeals to religious and other tribal instincts. The example that a Singapore, united, cohesive, in the midst of our great diversity, and able to stand on our own two feet and then, to generously help enhance other people's capacity to also stand on their own two feet, is something which I believe, does also reflect well on our society. I think it reflects the basic decency, goodwill and generosity that exists in the hearts of all Singaporeans. So, that is why we do it. But having said that, I would also add: there are many other trouble spots in the world.”
“Mr Speaker, we are not campaigning to be on the Board of Peace. But let me take a step back and remind everybody. We are Singaporeans. Our approach is always to do more, say less, be quietly helpful and constructive work from the ground up. So, that is why we are not asking to sit on any boards, but we will step up our long-standing cooperation with the Palestinian Authority. And I would also remind you that it is not just under the Singapore Cooperation Programme by which we engage the Palestinian Authority. We have been having regular meetings at senior levels. Palestinian Prime Minister has been here. Our Prime Minister has been there. I have been there several times. We will customise specific programmes that are relevant for them, but they will take the lead on which programmes they're interested in and how Singapore can best address their needs. So, I hope Members of the House will agree with me that this understated, more discrete, behind-the-scenes, helpful, respectful approach is more appropriate for us in Singapore.”
“The 20-point plan, as the Member has said, is a great achievement. It is a first and essential step – but not sufficient to achieving peace, security, development, hope and even ultimately a two-state solution. Let me come back to the basics of where Singapore stands. Singapore believes the Palestinians have a right to self determination. Singapore believes there should be a negotiated two-state solution. I think I just delivered a Ministerial Statement and we spent two or more than two hours on this subject a month ago. So, our position on that remains unchanged. Does this agreement help? I think this agreement sets the stage where it is possible to imagine a negotiated two-state solution can emerge. But I also want to remind everyone this has been one of the most intractable conflicts, not just of the last century, but going back a very long time. And whilst we are all cheered by the current positive news, I think we should be very realistic and psychologically be prepared that this will be a long and arduous journey. For Singapore, we should maintain our consistent principled approach. We should continue to have effective bridges and access to all the stakeholders. We should, wherever possible, within the limits of our capability, be constructive, reliable partners for peace for development and long-term reconciliation between two peoples who have been through unimaginable horrors in the last two years.”
“It would be premature for me to make any commitments at this stage.”
“Mr Speaker, I have explained that we have, in fact, already been contributing on the medical front in the last two years. We look forward to doing more with our partners. But it depends very much on access, on security and on the needs. I would make this point from a medical perspective. At this stage, you are not dealing with the immediate acute trauma. In fact, you are dealing with difficult sequelae like amputations, the need for prosthesis, the need for rehabilitation, the need to deal with psychological and emotional trauma. So, it is a different set of of specialties that are necessary. And my point again is depending on the needs and depending on our resources, we will do our part. That is on the medical side. The exact locations of deployment are again dictated by exigencies on the ground. Where are the facilities in which our medical staff can make a contribution? And to that end, I am sure this House will agree, we also want to pay attention to the safety of our staff on the ground. On schools, well, I think we should be cognisant that there are very few Arab fluent speakers in Singapore. But to the extent that we can work with "train the trainer" programmes, and in the long run, there is going to be a need for education, and vocational education and training, which will help enhance their ability to acquire the skills which are necessary for the long-term economy. So, these are things again and I see where the Member is coming from, but let us be realistic and approach this in a step wise fashion. It is premature to talk about peacekeeping troops. As I said, I would wait first for a UN Security Council resolution. I hope there will be one and we will assess very carefully what role we can contribute.”
“And I would expect to increase the tempo of our interaction with the Palestinian Authority so that they can fulfil this ambition. Again, we will need time and we will stand ready to respond to the Palestinian Authority's assessment of its own needs and particularly, I hope its ability to exercise governance in Gaza as well, an area in which it has not been able to exercise governance for two decades. So, I just want to give this House the assurance that we are watching developments very closely and we will do our best within the limits and constraints of distance and the fact that we are very small, but we happen to have a multiracial, multi-religious united society who is open-hearted, generous and willing to do, in a sense, more than our fair share to help people in need in this very dire set of circumstances.”
“And I will also explain what we will do to assist the Palestinian Authority on its journey and, on its journey, which I would like to add, ultimately, to a two-state solution, which Singapore supports. So, now let me turn to what we are doing and are hoping to do more of on the humanitarian front. In the past two years, we have been working very closely with the Egyptian Red Crescent, with the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organisation. We are also working with the World Food Programme; and we are also working with a few Egyptian hospitals, in fact, the medical team from the National University Hospital was just there a few weeks ago. We have also deployed as and when there has been hospital ships in the area to provide medical treatment to people who need help. I think the immediate acceleration of humanitarian assistance now, is the fact that I hope the over land routes will open. That is crucial if humanitarian assistance is going to be delivered at the scale necessary. So, we will certainly look forward to doing more with our partners in the region and I would add, we also expect the Israelis to do their part to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance over land through the crossings into Gaza. It is premature to discuss what we will do with the Transitional Authority, because that is still inchoate at this point in time. But what I would say, is that, in the short term, in the immediate term, we certainly want to do more with the Palestinian Authority. We have already been working with them for years – capacity-building programmes, technical assistance, more recently, scholarships. And all this with a view to enhancing the capacity, to exercise effective administrative oversight and to exercise the levers of government in their eventual statehood.”
“I believe Mr Gerald Giam1 has also filed a question, similar topic, for a subsequent Sitting. I will try to address the issue in this reply and also be happy to take supplementary questions. And if that is adequate, the Member can withdraw his Parliamentary Question that was filed for a later session. Singapore welcomed the agreement that was reached on 9 October 2025 by Israel and Hamas on the first phase of the Trump peace plan. I need to commend the incredible achievement of President Trump, his negotiating team, which includes Mr Steve Witkoff, Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner and also, the invaluable part played by Egypt, Qatar and Turkey. This is a critical plan and it is not just the details of the plan or how many points there are. But the fact is that America remains the indispensable superpower with real leverage and is willing to apply that leverage on the warring parties to arrive at where we are today. So, the first phase is now being implemented and in particular, that means a ceasefire and the release of the hostages, at least, those who are alive. And this is crucial, this is important, this is the first step of what will, in fact, be a long and arduous journey to peace. And we should have no illusions. Many things can still go wrong. The next few essential steps are a surge in humanitarian assistance – and I will explain later what Singapore will do on that front – and then, the establishment of some kind of Transitional Authority. I would also expect and hope that there will be some United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution to provide an international legal framework for these arrangements. And then, the Palestinian Authority, which as part of that plan, has committed to reform.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, can I address Question Nos 6 and 7 together?”
“My reply will also address related questions from Mr Ang Wei Neng, Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Dr Hamid Razak1 and Mr Gerald Giam2 for subsequent Sittings. Singapore had welcomed the agreement on 9 October 2025 by Israel and Hamas on the first phase of the peace plan proposed by the Trump administration. This first phase is now being implemented. This is a significant welcome development for the sake of peace. We urge all parties to make further progress towards resolving outstanding issues in subsequent phases. It is vital to create the right conditions which would allow for the reconstruction of Gaza, bring hope to the people of Gaza, and enhance stability in the Middle East. Singapore will continue to provide humanitarian assistance and support the Palestinian Authority, especially through capacity building programmes.”
“This question for oral answer was addressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in their Ministerial Statements on the Situation in the Middle East at the Parliamentary Sitting on 22 September 2025. [Please refer to "Situation in the Middle East", Official Report, 22 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 2, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“The ASEAN Charter also provides a mechanism for its member states to seek conciliation or mediation through the ASEAN Chair or Secretary-General. Such mechanisms operate on the principle of consensus and will require parties to agree on the most suitable avenue to address their dispute. Singapore does not have plans to propose an additional ASEAN mechanism.”
“Southeast Asia has occasionally experienced unrest and even conflicts throughout its history. The formation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967 and the journey of five original members to the current 10, and soon to be 11, have helped shift conflictual relationships toward cooperative ones. By providing a platform for all ASEAN member states to regularly engage each other, build habits of dialogue and consultation, and develop concrete areas of cooperation, while constructively anchoring key external partners and major powers, ASEAN has played a positive role in promoting peace and stability in our region. Should conflicts arise among ASEAN members, there are useful roles to be played by both ASEAN and the major external powers we engage regularly. This was indeed true in the case of the bilateral border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. In July 2025, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as ASEAN Chair, acted swiftly to de-escalate tensions and broker a ceasefire agreement in a Special Meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and then-Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The ceasefire was supported by the United States and China, both of which ASEAN engages regularly. Singapore welcomes and commends the efforts of the ASEAN Chair. We also welcome the positive outcomes of the Special Meeting of Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee hosted by Cambodia on 10 September 2025. We should continue to encourage both sides to engage directly with each other. ASEAN has mechanisms for dispute settlement under the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.”
“This question for written answer was addressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in their ministerial statements on “Situation in the Middle East” at the Parliamentary sitting on 22 September 2025. [Please refer to "Situation in the Middle East", Official Report, 22 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 2, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“ASEAN Day is observed annually on 8 August by all Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Member States to commemorate the founding of ASEAN with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration in 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand. This was formalised in the ASEAN Charter, which was signed by the 10 ASEAN Leaders at the 13th ASEAN Summit on 20 November 2007 in Singapore. ASEAN Member States mark ASEAN Day through various activities, such as flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural performances and diplomatic receptions. Given ASEAN's vital role in the region, Singapore commemorates ASEAN Day annually as well. This year, I hosted a dialogue with students from the School of Science and Technology, Methodist Girls' School and CHIJ Secondary School, as part of their ASEAN Tapestry Programme. We had a good discussion on ASEAN's importance to Singapore, consensus-building at ASEAN, and regional cooperation and integration. Singapore's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027 will coincide with ASEAN's 60th anniversary. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is spearheading efforts at the whole-of-Government level to plan meaningful commemorative events and other initiatives in 2027, including encouraging regional travel. Our efforts are aimed at promoting regional unity and fostering regional identity and connectivity. We will continue to raise greater awareness of the importance of ASEAN among Singaporeans, particularly our youth. We will ensure that these commemorative activities, which will include ASEAN Day, are befitting of ASEAN's diamond jubilee.”
“Honorary Consuls-General (HCGs) and Honorary Consuls (HCs) are distinguished individuals appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to advance Singapore's diplomatic and economic interests internationally. They provide consular assistance to Singaporeans overseas who need help. HCGs and HCs are not compensated for their services and bear all the costs of operating their consulates, including rental expenses and staff salaries. MFA's agreement for HCGs and HCs to retain the fees they collect to offset their expenditure is stipulated in the terms and conditions of their letters of appointment. Every year, MFA informs HCGs and HCs of the fee rates to be charged for services provided according to the Schedule to the Diplomatic and Consular Officers (Fees) Order 2012. HCGs and HCs are required to post public notices of the schedule of fees, and members of the public can check the amount paid against the schedule. MFA will regularise the accounting of fees collected by HCGs and HCs.”
“This question for oral answer was addressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in their Ministerial Statements on the Situation in the Middle East at the Parliamentary Sitting on 22 September 2025. [Please refer to "Situation in the Middle East", Official Report, 22 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 2, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“This question for oral answer was addressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in their Ministerial Statements on the Situation in the Middle East at the Parliamentary Sitting on 22 September 2025. [Please refer to "Situation in the Middle East", Official Report, 22 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 2, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“This question for oral answer was addressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in their Ministerial Statements on the Situation in the Middle East at the Parliamentary Sitting on 22 September 2025. [Please refer to "Situation in the Middle East", Official Report, 22 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 2, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“This question for written answer was addressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in their ministerial statements on “Situation in the Middle East” at the Parliamentary sitting on 22 September 2025. [Please refer to "Situation in the Middle East", Official Report, 22 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 2, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“This question for oral answer was addressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in their Ministerial Statements on the Situation in the Middle East at the Parliamentary Sitting on 22 September 2025. [Please refer to "Situation in the Middle East", Official Report, 22 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 2, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“This question for oral answer was addressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in their Ministerial Statements on the Situation in the Middle East at the Parliamentary Sitting on 22 September 2025. [Please refer to "Situation in the Middle East", Official Report, 22 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 2, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“These questions for written answer were addressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in their Ministerial Statements on “Situation in the Middle East” at the Parliamentary Sitting on 22 September 2025. [Please refer to "Situation in the Middle East", Official Report, 22 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 2, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“The Government has stepped up engagement to explain our foreign policy fundamentals and approaches to Singaporeans and hear their views. We do this through dialogue sessions and workshops across segments of society, including students, youths, businesses and the media. For example, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) regularly conducts Foreign Policy Engagement Sessions with all pre-tertiary institutions to explain the fundamentals of Singapore's foreign policy. Through such engagements, we also hope to equip the leaders of various segments of our society with the ability to help address questions from their respective grounds. We will continue to enhance the public's understanding of foreign policy through such engagements as well as through social media content that is more easily understood and relatable. In this era of constant information and views from a wide variety of sources and commentators, it is important for Singaporeans to be discerning of what we hear or read. While it is natural for Singaporeans to have a diversity of views, it is crucial for us to stay united and not allow external conflicts or divisive rhetoric to fragment our society. This is a whole-of-society effort. MFA will continue to work with community leaders in our shared efforts to help fellow Singaporeans understand Singapore's national interests that guide our foreign policy and be vigilant.”
“We can look at ways to expand such cooperation to include other private sector players and share expertise at the government-to-government level. Singapore's relations with the US are also substantive, longstanding and enjoy bipartisan support. We have been a consistent and reliable partner of the US for decades. Our cooperation spans many domains, including defence, security, economic and people-to-people ties. This deep reservoir of trust has allowed us to expand collaboration to newer areas, such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity, outer space, civilian nuclear technology and quantum technology. We continue to engage the Trump administration. My Cabinet colleagues and I have had good interactions with our US counterparts. These have been reported on in the media so I will not detail them. Specifically on tariff negotiations, we are in preliminary discussions with the US to explore practical ways to facilitate our pharmaceutical and semiconductor exports to the US. The Deputy Prime Minister Gan has had several virtual engagements with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to this end. We also continue to cultivate good relationships in the US Congress. I was pleased to learn that the US Congressional Singapore Caucus Co-chairs recently took the initiative to introduce a resolution in the house of representatives, in conjunction with SG60, to express continued support for the bilateral relationship. Through our sustained engagements with the US, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to foster greater appreciation of Singapore and our relationship with the US.”
“The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States (US) enjoy a broad, substantive and mutually beneficial relationship, built up over decades and across both democrat and republican administrations. ASEAN and the US have worked hard to promote dialogue, cooperate substantively and build trust. In 2027, we will commemorate 50 years of ASEAN-US dialogue relations and will use this opportunity to further expand our cooperation. According to the US State Department, its internal reorganisation does not change the longstanding partnership between ASEAN and the US. Economic activities between ASEAN and the US already support more than 625,000 American jobs. The US continues to be ASEAN's top source of foreign investment, with a total foreign direct investment (FDI) stock of $798.8 billion in 2023. This is more than what the US has invested in China, India, Japan and South Korea combined. At a meeting between the foreign ministers of ASEAN and the US in July 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed that ASEAN continued to be the "pre-eminent mechanism" by which the US engaged the region. Every change of administration presents opportunities for collaboration in new and practical areas. Earlier this year, ASEAN and the US endorsed the ASEAN-US Responsible AI Roadmap, which provides a guide for ASEAN governments to operationalise responsible AI. This helps to ensure that ASEAN as a region remains a secure and competitive destination for US firms to do business in. On cyber scams, US firms, like Meta, are working with regulators in the region to tackle this scourge by improving verification processes and strengthening cyber defences.”
“We voted in favour of the resolution because if you read the resolution in its entirety, you will see that it is a comprehensive one, which I would say, makes many countries who voted for it, there will be parts which they agree, there will be parts which they disagree. But it is one of the few, or one of the fewer UN resolutions that actually calls out 7 October as a terrorist act committed by Hamas that calls for the immediate release of hostages, also calls for immediate ceasefire and also calls ultimately for a state of Palestine to take its place in the UN. We voted for it because we look at it in totality. This is something which we support, or which we want to happen, which we hope will happen, even if, as I said, the objective reality has not yet occurred. Hostages are still being held in tunnels, Hamas is still in power in Gaza. Nevertheless, we voted in favour of it because we think this solution encapsulates the full width of measures needed in the long run for hopefully peace to come to this region, so hence our vote. I can assure you our votes in the UN are never performative or cynical. We do so on the basis of principle and of a careful assessment of our national interest. 3.32 pm”
“That is my "too long, did not read" (TLDR) summary of the last two hours.”
“This has been longer than my Committee of Supply and the question is how to communicate better. I do not know whether it means I obviously have not been able to communicate effectively or maybe this is a chance for me to reiterate the key points. Maybe, let me take that opportunity. We believe both the Israeli state and the Palestinian state deserve to exist. That is why we have always supported the Palestinians' right to self-determination and their own homeland. We also acknowledge the historical complexities. That is why "from the river to the sea" is not possible for either party. They have to find the wisdom and the leadership to create a two-state solution where they can live in peace and security. Number three, whilst we recognise Israel's right to exist and we recognise Israel's need to be strong, there is also wisdom in knowing how to use your strengths. You can win a tactical victory and lose the strategic war. What it is worth, this is what we are telling the Israelis and have been doing so for some time. Next point, we know that anything Singapore says or does is not going to resolve the situation on the ground in the Middle East. But for what it is worth, we will express a stand which is consistent with our own identity and values as a multiracial, multi-religious state. We will do our best to extend humanitarian assistance as a real expression of the collective compassion of Singaporeans. That is why today, we have reached this point of conditional recognition for Palestine. We hope and wait and will support and take efforts to hopefully make that an objective reality. In the meantime, we have targeted sanctions to express our disapproval for further moves to make a two-state solution impossible.”
“Mr Speaker, I just made a Ministerial Statement, announced sanctions, announced conditional recognition. The Member is already jumping and asking me to re-evaluate our position. I would say, let us watch very, very carefully how things unfold in the days, weeks and months. I have set out for all of us our principal considerations and the variables which we are watching. We will decide accordingly. I do not want to jump the gun and enter into excessively hypothetical discussions. The second question was what else is necessary for the Palestinian Authority. I wish they were in charge in Gaza, but you and I know they are not, or certainly not yet. But we continue to work with them, we continue to build up their capacity, we continue to prepare them for eventual statehood and for the time when they can be in charge. I should also add, if you read carefully all the statements of those who have apparently changed position in the last few days, I very seriously doubt any of them can actually begin the actual process or normalisation as long as hostages are still held in the tunnels of Gaza. I think the best way to understand this is everyone wants the same endpoint, but there can be arguments about when and how the route you take to reach the ultimate destination.”
“We do not want to say too much, but there are some things which we need to be aware of and we need to take appropriate precautions from. Maybe you should ask Minister Shanmugam about that.”
“Mr Speaker, we condemned the attack in Doha by Israel and we said so publicly and there is no doubt, in anybody's mind, where we stand on that. And we stand on that again, because again, the same question went through my mind, what if it happened here, what would we do and what would we say? Having said that, I think the Member is asking whether we should go further. I am not inclined to do further because, otherwise, we will end up having to chase every and every infraction which countries are engaged in against each other and us having to respond. So, my preference is to reserve it for the most egregious, the most important issues where we need to make a point. Again, for Qatar, the US' largest airbase in the Middle East is in Qatar. The real player who could and should have ensured security – I do not want to cause more problems, but we can think about that. Alright? Again, my larger point I am making to all of us, please have a realistic view of what Singapore can and cannot do. My own view is with the Qataris, we were in contact immediately. They know where we stand, they appreciated our stand. But there are some much bigger players who need to resolve the very awkward set of questions that the attack posed. But also, let us bear in mind that this is a dangerous and unpredictable world. Can we again, I want to persuade everyone, to come back to the zero-tolerance for breach of international law and zero-tolerance for terrorism and zero-tolerance, therefore, for even accepting any justifications or pretext for terrorism and harbouring them. Again, at some risk, I will also tell you that there are offices of terrorist organisations in our region. It is an objective reality and we need to be mindful and we need to be careful.”
“Depending on those decisions made in Washington, which will also reflect its own complex domestic political situation, that is where real leverage may or may not be applied to bring, at least an interim ceasefire, hopefully, a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages. So, again my plea is, be realistic about what we can do, what we should do. And I accept the Member's point that our words and our actions should reflect what we stand for and we cannot close our eyes and close our ears and keep silent when things are clearly wrong and unconscionable. I hope I have made the point that we have not been such a party. So, we are not fair weather friends. We are all weather friends, but we are also friends who tell you hard truth. To the extent that we can help, we will help, but we will not push and overstay our welcome or overestimate our ability to solve problems which have defied solutions for decades, centuries or, sometimes, millennia.”
“I am grateful for the Member's questions and I appreciate where she is coming from. But again, I want to urge a sense of realism. Will sanctions from a small city-state, like Singapore, move the needle on its own? No, it would not. But is it an expression of our views? It is. Will the Israelis notice it? Oh, I am sure they will notice it, precisely because they know that we are careful, deliberative, constructive partners who want the best for their long-term survival and for their neighbours, the Palestinians. So, we should be realistic about what we say and do and the effect of what we say and do. On open lines of communication, on ceasefire negotiations, I want to give full credit to our friends in Qatar and Egypt. And in the case of Qatar, even facing danger for being a venue for such negotiations and we should give them our fullest support, appreciation and respect for doing that. Can Singapore play such a role? I do not see that in the imminent future. Again, we need to understand the nature of conflicts in diplomacy, that the most effective peacemakers have to be both trusted by both sides and have leverage because the world is not short of conference venues where people can meet and have a nice cup of tea. But it needs to be a place where both sides feel that they are safe and that you are not playing games. But very often, to force two sides which are very far away, apart from each other and sometimes, to be honest, even having sub-segments of the two sides who are working across purposes, we need leverage. As far as I am concerned, what the last two years have illustrated is that, actually, the single superpower with real leverage in the Middle East, is the US.”
“In other words, it is not so much exactly the details of your decision but the basis by which we organise ourselves, arrive at decisions, make commitments, stick to commitments, deliver the goods and behave in a consistent, constructive law-abiding way. I do not want to use the word "moral" where states are concerned, but Members know what I mean. There is a certain code by which people know Singapore will always behave. And for that, they will accept that we will be different from time to time. But it is respect and we can do some good and that is the way I conduct our relations with other countries.”
“I am always pleasantly surprised or gratified by the access that we have. My conclusion, after years in this is, people give us access because, one, they have heard of Singapore. They have heard of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. They hear our Prime Ministers, both what they say domestically and internationally, it travels; and it is credible. They know we are a successful country. They know we are a united country and united across race, language and religion. They know we are serious-minded people. They now, as Assoc Prof Faishal Ibrahim said just now, when we say something, we actually take it seriously, we commit to it and we deliver. They do not expect us to completely echo their positions. In fact, they know that we are serious-minded, we are careful, we are deliberate and we do not just follow the crowd. And that is precisely why I think we get access and why we get at least applied hearing. And where we can make common calls and where we can sign agreements and do things together, we do. And Singapore and Singaporeans are welcome throughout, even troubled spots, because of this reputation. But at the same time, we also should retain a sense of realism and humility. We cannot solve very difficult, thorny issues all over the world, to the extent that we can extend our friendship, our support, our humanitarian assistance, if they want to use us sometimes officially or unofficially, as a venue, we are happy to pour tea. But we should never, never overestimate our abilities to deal with very difficult issues globally. So, I am quite content to play a constructive and useful role, but not to be made use of. At the same time, bearing in mind that the moment Singapore fails or is disunited, or that the leaders of Singapore no longer credible, it is game over. We will be irrelevant.”
“Mr Speaker, I will be frank. Sanctions are not something we enter into lightly. But let us also not assume or presume that sanctions will make a major difference to facts on the ground. And I say this not just with respect to what we are proposing for the settler groups, but again, the world's history on sanctions and their effectivity, I would say, it is often more a statement of principle and expression of disapproval. I would not bank that, historically, any set of sanctions have been decisive in its own way. So, like many things in foreign policy, it is a multivariate equation and, sometimes, you need all the different pieces, the configuration, to come together in time and space for there to be a step change. So, I am not saying that we entered into sanctions lightly. It is, for us, a major statement. But I do not want to overstate its impact.”
“I do not think they have fully heard the arguments on merit and they certainly have not arrived at the verdict, but we will have to wait for that and to act accordingly. I can share with the Member what I told the Israeli President – and the delegation Members who were with me can attest to that – because we are friends, we also have a duty to be candid. And as I told him, "It is true that the world has double standards and the world expects more of Israel, because Israel was born from the ashes of the Holocaust. And if Israel loses its international moral standing authority, that does untold strategic damage to your long-term prospects." They did not push back on that point because they know it is a sincerely held view from someone who hopes for peace for them and their neighbouring people who, even in the darkest of times, have to hope. They need hope that there is a better way. But again, be grateful for what we have in Singapore.”