Anthony Albanese will meet with Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong to bookend his first international trip since Labor’s resounding election triumph.
The prime minister, who met with the previous Singaporean prime minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2024, is expected to consolidate Australia’s relationship with one of its most influential Southeast Asia neighbours.
Australia has always had a strong defence and security relationship with Singapore, which boasts one of the most technologically advanced militaries in Southeast Asia, defence strategy expert Malcolm Davis said.
There were opportunities for Australia and Singapore to participate in more joint military exercises, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior analyst said.
“We have similar approaches to war-fighting, so there’s a common basis there for us to work with Singapore,” Dr Davis told AAP.
Singapore will join the Talisman Sabre exercise in Australia between July 13 and August 4, when more than 30,000 military personnel from 19 nations will take part in war games.
Despite Singapore remaining non-aligned about US-China competition, it remained a key nation in the region, Dr Davis said.
Mr Albanese will meet the Singaporean prime minister on Tuesday after attending the Pope’s inauguration at the Vatican and meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the mass.
Hunter Marston, from the ANU’s Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, said the visit showed the importance Mr Albanese gave to the region.
“This is Albanese’s first overseas trip since his party won re-election two weeks ago so signals that the Labor Party will continue to prioritise ties with Southeast Asia,” he said.
The trip coincides with the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations after Australia became the first nation to establish a diplomatic relationship with Singapore and the second to recognise it following its independence in 1965.
Mr Albanese visited Indonesia as his first port of call following his May 3 election win and as his first bilateral trip after his 2022 win.
Visiting Indonesia first highlighted the close ties between Australia and its Southeast Asian ally, Mr Albanese contended.
The trip followed news of Russia asking Indonesia to host military planes during the Australian election, prompting Australian officials to scramble to confirm the reports.
Jakarta had been unequivocal that there would be no Russian military presence in the nation, Mr Albanese said.
Australian Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national newswire and has been delivering accurate, reliable and fast news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We keep Australia informed.
