Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing and Qatar Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met on May 29 at the Shangri-La Singapore hotel during the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue to discuss the importance of upholding navigational rights and freedoms in international waterways [1, 2, 3, 4]. The security summit, held until May 31, brought together defence officials amid a months-long disruption of the Strait of Hormuz caused by ongoing conflict involving Iran [1, 2, 3, 4].
Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones targeting civilian infrastructure and the liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility at Ras Laffan in northeastern Qatar, which has effectively cut off nearly all of Qatar’s LNG export capacity [1, 2, 3, 4]. The near closure of the Strait of Hormuz has also caused a global disruption in fertilizer and natural gas supplies, raising regional and international concerns [1, 2, 3, 4].
Reports indicate the US and Iran reached an agreement to lift restrictions on shipping through the Strait, along with an extension of their ceasefire, pending approval from US President Donald Trump [1, 2, 3, 4].
Beyond the discussions with Qatar, Chan also met officials from Indonesia, Vietnam, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and the United States at the Dialogue [1, 2, 3, 4]. He specifically met Indonesia’s Vice-Minister of Defence Donny Ermawan Taufanto to review regional developments and cooperation under the Defence Cooperation Agreement implemented in 2024, which permits the Singapore Armed Forces to conduct training and exercises in Indonesian military areas [1, 2, 3, 4].
The meeting between Chan and Sheikh Saoud comes amid intensified tensions in the Middle East, underscoring Singapore and Qatar’s mutual interest in maintaining open and secure maritime routes. The Shangri-La Dialogue will continue through May 31, with further discussions expected on regional security and defence cooperation.
