Singapore's foreign policy: 'We don't take sides, we uphold principles'

Republic's principled and consistent actions based on long-term national interests: Vivian

- Chin Soo Fang

Singapore's foreign policy approach is not to be neutral, but to act in a principled and consistent way based on long-term national interests, said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Aug 27.

"We do not take sides. We uphold principles," he said in a speech on how small states like Singapore can navigate a divided world. "I found that actually, by being consistent, sticking by the rules, upholding principles, I get less pressure. It allows me, whether I go to Washington or Beijing, to say exactly the same thing." are Sometimes, other states pleased because Singapore seems to be on their side, he said, while other times, the converse happens.

"But it is not a wishy-washy shifty position where, if I put enough pressure, I can pressure you and you will change your mind," he said. "When we say yes, it is valuable. That is the point. We are not aiming for neutrality, we are not choosing sides, we are upholding principles." He added that Singapore has to be a credible, reliable and predictable partner to all, promoting friendly relations to advance Singapore's national interests.

"Having a friendly relationship with the person across the table, at a minimum, ensures that you do not miscommunicate... Ideally, having a friendly relationship also enables you to look for compromises - landing zones where you can win some, lose some, or ideally, win-win," he said.

Dr Balakrishnan was addressing about 250 attendees at the Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum 2024 Majulah: Navigating the Next Chapter of Singapore's Story, held at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House Auditorium at NUS.

Organised by the NUS Students' Political Association, the annual forum gives academics and students from various tertiary institutions a chance to engage in dialogue with senior political leaders in Singapore.