Singapore maintains diplomatic relations with 175 countries although it does not maintain a high commission or embassy in many of those countries. It is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth, ASEAN and the Non-Aligned Movement. Due to obvious geographical reasons, relations with Malaysia and Indonesia are most important. Singapore enjoys good relations with the United Kingdom which shares ties in the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) along with Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. Good relations are also maintained with the United States; the US is perceived as a stabilizing force in the region to counterbalance the regional powers.
Disputes
Disputes
- Singapore has several long-standing disputes with Malaysia over a number of issues:
- fresh water deliveries to Singapore
- mutual maritime boundaries
- air routes between Singapore Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport
- the Singapore-occupied islet known as Pedra Branca in Singapore and as Pulau Batu Puteh (White Rock Island) in Malaysia, located 24 nautical miles (44 km) off the east coast of Singapore with a land area of 2,000 m² (2,392 sq yd) (the island also comprises Middle Rocks which are two clusters of rocks situated 0.6 nmi (1.1 km) south of Pedra Branca, and South Ledge, a rock formation which can be seen only at low tide)
- relocating the Singapore station of Malaysia's Keretapi Tanah Melayu from Tanjong Pagar to Bukit Timah (see Malaysia-Singapore Points of Agreement of 1990) and moving Malaysia's immigration checkpoint from the railway station to the Causeway
- withdrawal of Central Provident Funds by west Malaysians.
