Letter of the day Blend of principle and pragmatism needed in Singapore's foreign policy

I refer to the contribution and exchange of views on global affairs by Mr Bilahari Kausikan (Facing up to the realities of Trump 2.0, March 3; and Distinction between foreign policy of words and of deeds, March 6) and Professor Tommy Koh (Singapore's foreign policy based on realism, March 5).

- Keith Wong

Prof Koh's approach to foreign relations leans towards idealism, championing values like fairness, cooperation and mutual respect as cornerstones of diplomacy. Mr Kausikan takes a more practical stance, anchoring Singapore's foreign policy in a clear-eyed understanding of the self-interested and complex nature of global politics.