Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s official visit to the United Kingdom has marked a historic milestone in bilateral relations, as he called on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to discuss crucial issues ranging from defence to economic cooperation. During the meeting, both leaders explored avenues to strengthen a peaceful and stable global rules-based order.
In a tweet shared on social media, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed the warmth of his meeting with Prime Minister Sunak, emphasizing discussions on defence and economic collaboration. This visit stands as the first by a sitting Indian Defence Minister to the UK in over two decades.
Earlier in the trip, Rajnath Singh engaged in insightful deliberations with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, focusing on enhancing ties between the two nations. The Defence Minister’s Office reported on the “India-UK Defence Industry CEOs Roundtable” at Trinity House in London, where both Rajnath Singh and UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps participated.
A significant development emerged as the UK announced plans to deploy its Littoral Response Group to the Indian Ocean Region later this year, with the Carrier Strike Group proposed to visit Indian waters in 2025. Both forces will operate and train alongside Indian counterparts, showcasing the commitment to strengthening ties. Defence Secretary Shapps emphasized the shared commitment to maintaining a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific amid evolving global security challenges.
In a social media post, Rajnath Singh shared his positive interaction with industry leaders at the UK-India Defence CEO Roundtable, envisioning a partnership for cooperation, co-creation, and co-innovation. The visit has underscored the growing importance of the strategic relationship between the UK and India.
The Defence Ministers of both nations discussed future cooperation, including joint exercises, knowledge sharing, and instructor exchanges. This builds on the comprehensive strategic partnership outlined in the 2030 India-UK roadmap, announced in 2021. The UK and India pledged to embark on more complex military exercises, leading to a landmark joint exercise by the end of 2030, with a focus on protecting critical trade routes and upholding the international rules-based system.
UK Defence Secretary Shapps emphasized collaboration with industry as a key aspect of the strategic defence partnership. The two nations are working together on electric propulsion systems and the development of complex weapons, showcasing the depth of their cooperation.
As both countries confirm several new joint initiatives, the visit is seen as a crucial step towards elevating defence collaboration between India and the UK to unprecedented levels, reinforcing shared goals of global security and stability.
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