Hernaikh Singh

Introduction

Hernaikh Singh has more than 30 years of experience in Singapore government and non-government organisations, business sector and academia. He has managed a diverse range of portfolios, including international relations, policy and business development, administrative management (encompassing human resource, finance, fundraising, corporate communications and events management), editorial and publications management, and training and research development.

Hernaikh was a pioneer staff of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) during its formative period from September 2004 to December 2009. He rejoined ISAS in April 2017. He works with the Chairman and Director in the overall management of the Institute and, together with them, charts the think-tank’s strategic directions. He also manages ISAS’ overall administrative functions.

Prior to rejoining ISAS, Hernaikh was an Associate Director at the International Office at Singapore Management University, overseeing the South Asian, Southeast Asian, African, Middle Eastern and Central Asian regions. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry from 2010 to 2012. He also held various appointments at the Singapore International Foundation between 1994 and 2004. He started his career at the then-Singapore Trade Development Board (now Enterprise Singapore) in 1990.

Hernaikh has been publishing regularly. His latest book is a co-edited volume with Professor C Raja Mohan on Navigating India-China Rivalry: Perspectives from South Asia, which was published by World Scientific, Singapore, in early 2023. His two other recently co-edited books, ASEAN and India: The Way Forward (Singapore: World Scientific, 2022), and India On Our Minds (Singapore: World Scientific, 2020) were respectively launched by Singapore’s Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He also contributed the chapter on ‘Nalanda University in India: Reviving Ancient Glory’ for the latter publication. He is now working on an edited volume with Professor Raja Mohan on Biden and Beyond: The United States Rethinks South Asia, which is scheduled to be published in early 2024.

Hernaikh is active in public and community service. He currently serves as a member of the National Archives of Singapore’s Indian Community Oral History Committee and the Singapore Indian Development Association’s Community Engagement Sub-committee. He is also the President of Singapore Khalsa Association and a Trustee of Khalsa Dharmak Sabha. He was the founding President of Young Sikh Association (Singapore), a non-profit organisation dedicated to fulfilling the aspirations of young Singaporeans. He has served as a member on the Taxpayer Feedback Panel (Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore); Youth Network Committee (National Youth Council); Singapore Youth Award Selection Panel on Entrepreneurship; Working Group of the Tripartite Workgroup on Community Engagement at Workplaces (Ministry of Manpower); and Small and Medium Enterprise Infocomm Adoption Committee. He was also member of the Feedback Groups on Community Development and Political Development; Programme Quality Resource Panel of OLI 96.8 FM of the Radio Corporation of Singapore; and the Economic Planning Committee (Ministry of Trade and Industry). Hernaikh has had the privilege of serving as an Honorary Aide-de-Camp to two presidents of Singapore – President S R Nathan and President Ong Teng Cheong.

Hernaikh holds a Master of Arts (Southeast Asian Studies) degree from NUS. For his outstanding academic achievements, he was awarded the Dr Benjamin Batson Gold Medal. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from the same university.