Singapore became independent in 1965 as a tiny state without resources, which made survival the core of its foreign policy.
Singapore separated from Malaysia and became independent on 9 August 1965. It had no hinterland, few natural resources and depended on water from Malaysia. Its population was mainly ethnic Chinese, in a region where its larger neighbours were Malay and Muslim.
Its security depended on Britain. British military bases provided a large share of its jobs and economic activity. In 1968 Britain announced it would withdraw most of its forces by 1971, a serious blow.
The region was unstable. Indonesia's Konfrontasi had only just ended, the Vietnam War was escalating, and communist insurgencies were active in neighbouring countries.
Singapore's leaders, especially Lee Kuan Yew and Foreign Minister S. Rajaratnam, made survival the aim of foreign policy. They sought friends everywhere, a balance among the powers in the region, and a strong economy and defence force of their own.
- Independence
- 9 August 1965.
- British withdrawal
- Announced 1968; most forces gone by 1971.
- Foreign policy aim
- Survival through a balance of powers and friends everywhere.
Worked example: National interests as a factor
How did vulnerability shape Singapore's foreign policy?
- Small size and no hinterland: needed trade and investment from everywhere.
- Ethnic make-up: had to reassure Malay neighbours and avoid looking like a "third China".
- British withdrawal: needed new security partners and its own armed forces.
- Result: a pragmatic policy aimed at survival.
Watch out for this
Singapore chose sides in the Cold War because of ideology.
Singapore was anti-communist at home. But its foreign policy was driven mainly by survival and national interest. That is why it dealt with all the powers.
Check your understanding
Why was Britain's 1968 withdrawal announcement a blow to Singapore?
- British bases provided security and a large share of jobs and economic activity.
- Britain had governed Singapore until 1968.
- Britain wanted to rejoin Singapore to Malaysia.