Diplomacy enables countries to pursue mutual interests, cooperate on common problems, and resolve conflicts peacefully. Diplomacy involves countries sending representatives to conduct relations and promote common interests. Singapore practices three types of diplomatic relations: bilateral relations to form partnerships for economic and technological benefits; regional relations through membership in ASEAN for economic growth and dispute resolution; and international relations through participation in the UN for expertise, decision making on territorial rights, peacekeeping contributions, and a role on the UN Security Council.

1. Teacher’s copy / Prepared by Miss Lena Teo 5
Types of Diplomatic Relations Practiced by Singapore:
(Singapore's foreign policy is aimed at maintaining friendly relations with
all countries, especially Malaysia, Indonesia, and ASEAN)
Why is diplomacy necessary?
• Diplomacy enables / allows / provides opportunities for countries:
o To pursue mutual interests (ie. common interests),
o To cooperate with one another to solve common problems (eg. SARS,
terrorism & smuggling of goods),
o To resolve conflicts and disagreements peacefully (ie. without using
violence/resorting to war),
o To help one another in times of need (eg. SG’s fire fighters fighting
forest fires in Indonesia to control haze & SG providing relief when
Hurricane Katrina hit the USA.
#2 Diplomacy
What is diplomacy?
• It is the way countries manage or conduct relations with one another.
• Countries usually send their representatives (aka diplomats) to live
in other countries / conduct negotiations with other countries.
• The aim of diplomacy is to promote common interests and
to peacefully resolve conflicting interests between countries.

2. Teacher’s copy / Prepared by Miss Lena Teo 6
Factor i) Bilateral relations – involving two countries (eg. when a Singapore establishes
diplomatic relations with one other country).
Sub factors Necessary information Link: why & how bilateral relations is
beneficial to Singapore
(1) Bilateral
relations with
more developed
countries
Partnerships with Japan, the
USA and Germany have
allowed the transfer of
technological skills to SG.
This helped Singapore to acquire advanced
technological skills and boosted trade
through improved economic ties with these
countries.
(2) Bilateral
relations with
immediate
neighbours
Diplomatic ties with Malaysia
and Indonesia allows more
cultural, social and business
exchanges between the people
and government of these
countries and Singapore.
This promotes better understanding
between Singapore and our neighbours 
Lowers the likelihood of conflict 
Creates a stable and peaceful environment
for trade and business to happen 
Ensures economic growth for SG.
(3) Bilateral
relations give
Singapore a
chance to help
neighbours in
need
During the 2004 Asian
Tsunami, Singapore’s Red
Cross sent medical assistance
and relief supplies to help the
victims in Indonesia.
Such actions show Singapore’s willingness
to help its neighbours  Helped SG earn
the goodwill & trust of these nations 
These countries would be less likely to be
aggressive towards SG + they would be
more likely to help SG in our time of need
 Ensures SG’s survival should SG face
threats.
Factor ii) Regional relations – developing relations with other nations from the same
geographical region (eg. when Singapore establishes diplomatic relations with
countries in the Southeast Asian region by joining ASEAN).
Practicing diplomacy through developing regional relations:
A case study of Singapore & ASEAN
Which 10 countries are members of ASEAN?
What is the purpose of ASEAN?

3. Teacher’s copy / Prepared by Miss Lena Teo 7
How does Singapore’s membership in ASEAN benefit Singapore?
✔ SG can gain from economic development in the region
⌘ ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)
⌘ Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI)
⌘ Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP)
✔ SG can use ASEAN as a platform to resolve disputes with other countries
⌘ Dialogues between ASEAN countries
⌘ ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
⌘ Environmental collaboration
✔ SG can have a better capacity to negotiate with more powerful states or
larger regional groupings

4. Teacher’s copy / Prepared by Miss Lena Teo 8
Factor iii) International relations – when a nation establishes ties with countries and
groupings beyond its region (eg. when Singapore joins a large international
organization like the UN and plays an active role in the organizations activities
and programs and develops ties with multiple nations concurrently.
Practicing diplomacy through developing international relations:
A case study of Singapore & the United Nations (UN)
What are the aims of the UN?
Singapore’s membership and contributions to the UN:
✔ SG benefitted from expertise offered by the UN
⌘ SG received economic advice from Dr Albert Winsemius
✔ SG’s involvement in the UN Law of the Sea Conference
⌘ SG helped to decide territorial rights of a country over its waters
✔ SG’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations
⌘ SG actively helps countries like Afghanistan and East Timor
✔ SG’s service in the UN Security Council
⌘ From 2001 to 2002, SG served as non-permanent Security Council
member + was elected as President of the council