Institute of South Asian Studies - NUS

ISAS Online Seminar
India-UAE Relations: Ascendant Partnership

The growing partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates has emerged as one of the most significant relationships in Asia and the Middle East. Recent developments, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the I2U2 framework, and enhanced strategic cooperation, have brought the relationship into sharper focus amid evolving regional dynamics.

Join us for an engaging discussion with Dr Narayanappa Janardhan, Director of Research and Analysis at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, as he examines the key drivers behind the India-UAE partnership, the challenges ahead, and how current geopolitical developments in the Middle East could shape bilateral ties.

🎙️ Moderator: Dr Sandeep Bhardwaj, Research Fellow, ISAS, NUS

📅 Date: Tuesday, 23 June 2026
⏰ Time: 3.00pm – 4.15pm (SGT)
📍 Venue: Online via Zoom

Scan to register now and gain deeper insights into one of the region's most important strategic partnerships.

Listen to our latest podcast on the latest assembly elections and the results!

https://isas.podbean.com/e/episode-313-a-tale-of-two-states-assembly-election-results-in-tamil-nadu-and-west-bengal/

The climate and clean energy policies that India and China adopt will be critical in shaping their domestic mitigation and adaptation pathways, as well as have implications for global energy transitions. Although both countries remain central to global climate efforts, bilateral engagement has been limited and fitful in recent years.

This seminar will launch research papers that explore the potential for pragmatic and strategic cooperation between India and China in the climate and clean energy domains. It aims to offer specific, evidence-based insights to inform Indian, Chinese and other international policymakers on how the two countries might navigate their relationship while advancing shared climate mitigation and adaptation objectives.

The discussion builds on an on-going joint project between the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) and the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS). The research papers reflect findings from secondary data analysis, primary interviews and workshops which featured presentations and deliberations by Indian and Chinese experts.

Discussions will focus on three key questions:

How have India and China engaged on climate and clean energy in the past? What have been the key areas and institutional channels for engagement? How has the engagement fared?
In the current context, what does the future of India and China climate cooperation look like? What issues should both countries coordinate, cooperate, or collaborate on in the area of climate and clean energy? What institutional channels can enable engagement?
What guardrails are needed to mitigate concerns and enable cooperation in key sectors? To what extent can India and China strategically navigate trade, technology and capacity bottlenecks? What are the leverage points for engagement?

The United States–Iran Conflict: Economic Implications on India:

As tensions between the United States and Iran reshape the geopolitical landscape of West Asia, what could this mean for India’s economy, energy security and trade stability? This insightful ISAS paper examines the wider economic ripple effects of the conflict, from rising oil prices and inflationary pressures to disruptions in supply chains and the Indian rupee. Read the analysis by our ISAS scholar to understand how global crises can directly impact South Asia’s economic future.

Read this Insights by Mr Vinod Rai:
https://www.isas.nus.edu.sg/papers/the-united-states-iran-conflict-economic-implications-on-india/

Written by ISAS Senior Research Fellow Ronojoy Sen, this compelling analysis explores the dramatic shifts behind the BJP’s surge in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Election and the challenges faced by the Trinamool Congress. From voter sentiment and anti-incumbency trends to the evolving political landscape of Bengal, the paper unpacks the key forces shaping one of India’s most closely watched elections.

https://www.isas.nus.edu.sg/papers/west-bengal-assembly-election-the-bjps-wave-overwhelms-the-tmc/

As the global economy undergoes rapid transformation amid geopolitical tensions, supply chain shifts and economic fragmentation, how can India and Singapore strengthen their partnership to navigate an increasingly uncertain world?
Join the Second India-Singapore Futures Forum, organised by the Institute of South Asian Studies, for a timely discussion on the future of India-Singapore cooperation and the opportunities that lie ahead in trade, technology, connectivity, sustainability and regional resilience.
The forum will feature distinguished policymakers, diplomats, scholars and industry voices from both India and Singapore, including:
• Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore
• HE Dr Shilpak Ambule, High Commissioner of India to Singapore
• Associate Professor Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director, ISAS-NUS
📅 15 May 2026 (Friday)
⏰ 9.30am – 12.00nn (SGT)
📍 Della & Seng Gee Guild Hall, Level 1, NUSS Guild House
In an era marked by economic uncertainty and shifting global alignments, this public session will explore how India and Singapore can continue to build a forward-looking and resilient partnership for the future.
Register now and be part of the conversation shaping the next chapter of India-Singapore relations.
https://www.eventbrite.sg/.../2nd-india-singapore-futures...

As the global economy undergoes rapid transformation amid geopolitical tensions, supply chain shifts and economic fragmentation, how can India and Singapore strengthen their partnership to navigate an increasingly uncertain world?

Join the Second India-Singapore Futures Forum, organised by the Institute of South Asian Studies, for a timely discussion on the future of India-Singapore cooperation and the opportunities that lie ahead in trade, technology, connectivity, sustainability and regional resilience.

The forum will feature distinguished policymakers, diplomats, scholars and industry voices from both India and Singapore, including:

• Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore
• HE Dr Shilpak Ambule, High Commissioner of India to Singapore
• Associate Professor Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director, ISAS-NUS

📅 15 May 2026 (Friday)
⏰ 9.30am – 12.00nn (SGT)
📍 Della & Seng Gee Guild Hall, Level 1, NUSS Guild House

In an era marked by economic uncertainty and shifting global alignments, this public session will explore how India and Singapore can continue to build a forward-looking and resilient partnership for the future.

Register now and be part of the conversation shaping the next chapter of India-Singapore relations.
https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/2nd-india-singapore-futures-forum-tickets-1987661016607?aff=oddtdtcreator

https://www.youtube.com/live/e9pGtF_3ceQ?si=MyeTzh_E54Krxrik

What does Trump's China visit mean for India and the world? President Trump begins a three- day visit to China today and that’s what we will focus upon. What is he looking for from Beijing? What is he prepared to offe...

As the global economy undergoes rapid transformation amid geopolitical tensions, supply chain shifts and economic fragmentation, how can India and Singapore strengthen their partnership to navigate an increasingly uncertain world?

Join the Second India-Singapore Futures Forum, organised by the Institute of South Asian Studies, for a timely discussion on the future of India-Singapore cooperation and the opportunities that lie ahead in trade, technology, connectivity, sustainability and regional resilience.

The forum will feature distinguished policymakers, diplomats, scholars and industry voices from both India and Singapore, including:

• Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore
• HE Dr Shilpak Ambule, High Commissioner of India to Singapore
• Associate Professor Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director, ISAS-NUS

📅 15 May 2026 (Friday)
⏰ 9.30am – 12.00nn (SGT)
📍 Della & Seng Gee Guild Hall, Level 1, NUSS Guild House

In an era marked by economic uncertainty and shifting global alignments, this public session will explore how India and Singapore can continue to build a forward-looking and resilient partnership for the future.

Register now and be part of the conversation shaping the next chapter of India-Singapore relations.
https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/2nd-india-singapore-futures-forum-tickets-1987661016607?aff=oddtdtcreator