Singapore consciously cultivates its relationship with India as a way to counter-balance China's growing influence in South East Asia, according to a cable written by American ambassador to the city-state, Franklin Lavin in 2004.
According to Lavin's reading of the country's new "India fever", Singapore does not want China to dominate South East Asia and would rather have India as a counter-force to balance out the dragon.
For this purpose, Singapore is taking several actions to deepen its economic, military and political ties to India.
"The Government of Singapore is sending a concerted message that India is both wanted and needed in Southeast Asia to balance the rising influence of China and to further expand regional economic prosperity. Full story
