UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met bilaterally in London on Tuesday, January 9. There was a productive exchange of ideas during the cordial encounter.
According to representatives of the defense ministry, the two ministers spoke about a variety of issues related to cooperation, security, and defense, with a focus on strengthening defense industry collaboration.
Details were provided, and it was emphasized by Shapps that the UK and India are natural allies with many shared interests and objectives rather than having a transactional relationship.
UK-India sign deals
Following the bilateral defense meeting, India and the UK signed two agreements: a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the conduct of a bilateral international cadet exchange program and a Letter of Arrangement regarding defense research and development collaboration between the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) of the UK and the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
The people-to-people interactions, especially those involving young people, and the broader defense research cooperation between the two nations would both benefit from these materials.
“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,” Singh said in a post on X.
In addition, he is anticipated to meet with Foreign Secretary David Cameron and pay a visit to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Today the minister will engage in a roundtable discussion with leaders in the military industry and then attend a reception hosted by the Indian High Commission in London to meet with members of the Indian community.
“In substantive terms, the visit will seek to deepen military cooperation and defence industrial partnerships with the UK by building on the November 2023 Defence Consultative Group (DCG) meeting in Delhi at the level of Secretaries and the inaugural meeting of the 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue at the level of Joint Secretaries in October 2023,” said Rahul Roy.
Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, is the Senior Fellow for South and Central Asian Defence, Strategy, and Diplomacy at the London-based think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS),
UK India re developing ties
During his first visit to the UK in 22 years, British Defence Minister Grant Shapps and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh talked about strengthening industrial ties and collaborating on defense projects. Singh visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, honored Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Tavistock Square.
His agenda includes meetings with high-ranking officials, community representatives, and leaders of the UK’s defense industry with the goal of fostering military collaboration and deepening industrial partnerships in the defense sector.
The visit represents an effort to forge closer Indo-UK relations in the Indo-Pacific area, with a focus on collaborating on maritime security with countries such as Kenya and Oman.
Singh paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation at the commemorative site, which is from the 20th century, escorted by Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Vikram Doraiswami and members of his delegation.
Gandhi Jayanti and Martyr’s Day are observed by the diaspora at the famous sculpture of Gandhi in a meditative posture.
“Paid homage to Pujya Bapu at his statue in Tavistock, London,” Singh stated.
The May 2021 virtual summit between PM Modi and then UK PM Boris Johnson saw the elevation of the India-UK relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
A 10-year plan to strengthen relations in the crucial areas of commerce and economics, security and defense, climate change, and people-to-people links was approved by the two parties at the summit.
Expanding cooperation in the maritime domain is another priority for both parties.
