SIMBEX 2025: भारत-सिंगापुर नौसेना सहयोग की रणनीतिक प्रासंगिकता

🛡️ Suryavanshi IAS UPSC Blog Series
For GS Paper 2 & 3 | Prelims + Mains | Defence, IR & Maritime Security

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🔎 Why in News?

SIMBEX 2025 (Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise) was held from July 28 to August 1, 2025, marking the 32nd edition of the exercise — India's longest-running uninterrupted bilateral naval drill.

Held in the South China Sea and Changi Naval Base, the exercise included naval ships, fighter jets, helicopters, and joint training modules.

This year also coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and Singapore.

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🌐 India-Singapore Defence Cooperation: UPSC Relevance

GS Paper	Syllabus Link
GS-2	Bilateral relations, Regional groupings, India’s neighborhood policy
GS-3	Security challenges, Maritime security, Role of armed forces

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🧭 SIMBEX 2025: Key Highlights

🔹 Participants

• India: INS Satpura (Shivalik-class stealth frigate)

• Singapore: RSS Supreme (Formidable-class frigate), RSS Vigilance (Victory-class corvette), MV Mentor

• RSAF: 2 F-15SG fighter aircraft, 2 Fokker-50 MPAs, 1 S70B helicopter

🔹 Shore Phase

• Location: RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base

• Activities: Simulator-based training, joint planning, professional exchanges, sports

• Subject Matter Exchanges on:

  • Maritime air operations

  • Boarding protocols

🔹 Sea Phase

• Gunnery exercises, anti-air operations, maritime security drills

• Sail-past to mark conclusion

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🌏 Strategic Significance

🛡️ Maritime Security

• South China Sea: Geopolitical hotspot, increasing Chinese presence

• Indian Navy asserting regional influence through ACT EAST Policy

🔄 Interoperability & Capacity Building

• Enhanced coordination between navies for HADR, counter-piracy, surveillance

🤝 People-to-People & Diplomatic Ties

• Builds trust and long-term engagement

• Celebrating 60 years of diplomatic ties adds symbolic depth

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📚 UPSC Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

❓ Q. The term "Two Plus Two Dialogue" is sometimes mentioned in the news. Which of the following pairs take part in this dialogue? (UPSC Prelims 2020)
🅐 India – USA ✅

❓ Q. ‘Sagarmala’ is a programme concerned with: (UPSC Prelims 2017)
🅐 Port modernisation and maritime infrastructure ✅

❓ Q. Consider the following countries: (UPSC Prelims 2014)
India, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan Which of the above are among the ‘Tiger Economies’ of South-East Asia? 🅐 Singapore only ❌ 🅑 2 and 4 only ❌ 🅒 1, 2 and 3 only ✅ 🅓 All of the above ❌

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✍️ Model Mains Questions

GS-2 (250 Words)

"India’s maritime diplomacy with Southeast Asian nations has gained momentum through strategic exercises like SIMBEX. Analyse its role in India's Indo-Pacific outreach."

GS-3 (150 Words)

"Bilateral maritime exercises enhance security preparedness and naval interoperability. Discuss with reference to SIMBEX 2025."

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🧾 Summary Table

Dimension	Details
Name	SIMBEX (Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise)
Year Started	1994
2025 Edition	32nd
Sea Phase Location	South China Sea
Shore Phase	RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base
Strategic Focus	Indo-Pacific stability, joint maritime capabilities
Diplomatic Milestone	60 years of diplomatic relations

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📢 Suryavanshi IAS Says:

"SIMBEX isn’t just an exercise — it’s a maritime handshake affirming India’s Act East strategy, advancing regional stability, and enhancing blue water capabilities. As Indo-Pacific gains geopolitical heat, India’s naval diplomacy becomes the anchor of strategic autonomy."

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