Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and discussed various issues related to defence and economic cooperation between the two countries. The leaders also discussed how India and UK could work together to strengthen a peaceful and stable global rules-based order.
Notably, this is the first time in the last 20 years that a sitting Indian Defence Minister visited the UK.
Sharing pictures of the meet, Rajnath Singh took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “Had a very warm meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak in London. I had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with him. We discussed issues pertaining to defence, economic cooperation and how India and UK could work together for strengthening a peaceful and stable global rules-based order.”
Had a very warm meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Shri @rishisunak in London. I had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with him. We discussed issues pertaining to defence, economic cooperation and how ???????? and ???????? could work together for strengthening a peaceful… pic.twitter.com/1yk2RWJpbn
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 11, 2024
During the meeting, the Defence Minister stated that the UK and other like-minded countries should work with India to strengthen a peaceful and stable global rules-based order, including through partnering India in its inexorable rise, which can be strengthened, reinforced and speeded up with friendly collaboration, the official release of the Defence Ministry stated.
Rajnath Singh Meets UK Counterpart Grant Shapps
Singh, who is currently on an official visit to Great Britain, also met his British counterpart Grant Shapps and attended the India-UK Defence Industry CEOs Roundtable at Trinity House in London.
Had an excellent meeting with UK Defence Minister, Mr. Grant Shapps. We reviewed the full range of India-UK defence relations. We had fruitful discussions on a wide range of issues pertaining to defence cooperation, security and also on enhancing defence industrial cooperation. pic.twitter.com/fzJqhm6PcX— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 9, 2024
In a move that signals the growing importance of the strategic relationship between the UK and India, Defence Secretary Shapps welcomed Singh to the UK and the two leaders agreed on unprecedented levels of UK-India defence cooperation, according to the official release.
The two nations also discussed future cooperation in defence from joint exercises to knowledge sharing and instructor exchanges. These steps build on the comprehensive strategic partnership envisaged in the 2030 India-UK roadmap, announced in 2021.
Meanwhile, the UK has announced its plans to send its Littoral Response Group to the Indian Ocean Region later this year, with a proposal for the Carrier Strike Group to visit the Indian waters in 2025. Both will operate and train with Indian forces.
In the coming years, the UK and India will also embark on more complex exercises between their respective militaries, building up to a landmark joint exercise to be conducted before the end of 2030, supporting shared goals of protecting critical trade routes and upholding the international rules-based system, as per the release.
Defence Secretary Shapps said, “There is absolutely no question that the world is becoming increasingly contested, so it’s vital that we continue to build on our strategic relationships with key partners like India. Together we share the same security challenges and are steadfast on our commitment to maintaining a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
Singh on Tuesday paid a visit to the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in London and offered Abishek Puja at the temple. The Hindu temple is Europe’s first authentic and traditionally built Hindu shrine.
(With agency inputs)
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