Rajnath Singh meets UK PM Rishi Sunak, discusses defence and economic cooperation
| 2024-01-11
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calls on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in London on January 10, 2024.
Prime Minister Sunak recognises the necessity of UK-India cooperation in trade, defence, and technology
Reinforcing the growing multifaceted partnership between India and the United Kingdom, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at London's 10 Downing Street on January 10, 2024.
"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 India and UK could work together for strengthening a peaceful and stable global rules-based order" Defence Minister Singh wrote on social media platform X.
According to India's Ministry of Defence, Singh said that both nations have made significant strides in moulding and recrafting the historic ties into a modern, multifaceted and mutually beneficial partnership, under the direction of the leaders of both the countries.
Defence Minister Singh spoke about the recent escalation in bilateral defence engagement, encompassing joint military exercises, training, capability enhancement, and increased interoperability, with particular emphasis on maritime ties.
The defence minister also shone a light on the intensified efforts in defence industrial cooperation and technology exchange, reflecting on his constructive interactions with the UK defence sector.
UK National Security Advisor Sir Tim Barrow was present during the meeting.
Defence Minister Singh advocated for the UK and other like-minded nations to collaborate with India in cementing a peaceful, stable, global rules-based order. This partnership, he noted, would be instrumental in India's journey towards becoming a developed nation by the mid-21st century - a vision ardently pursued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under Modi's leadership, India has witnessed sustainable growth, significant poverty reduction, and the establishment of a business-friendly environment.
Echoing these sentiments, Prime Minister Sunak recognized the necessity of UK-India cooperation in trade, defence, and technology. He expressed optimism about the ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations and his government's dedication to promoting the defence and security pillar of this bilateral relationship, including support for enhanced business and technology partnerships.
This high-profile meeting also featured a symbolic exchange, with Defence Minister Singh presenting a Ram Darbar statue to Prime Minister Sunak.
Furthering this diplomatic engagement, the Indian Defence Minister met with the UK's Foreign Minister Lord David Cameron at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Both ministers lauded the renewed vigour and trajectory of the India-UK partnership, marked by intensive engagements across various levels. Singh outlined his ambition for integrating the defence industries of both countries, including supply chain integration, and stressed the importance of bilateral startup interactions and joint project development.
Lord Cameron reaffirmed the UK's eagerness to collaborate with India in defence, particularly in defence industrial collaboration, as a cornerstone for supporting a rule-based international order.
The visit culminated in an interaction with the Indian diaspora at India House, London, where over 160 prominent Indian-origin individuals, including Indian military veterans and families of World War II veterans, gathered. This session emboldened the profound cultural and individual bonds that enhance the strategic relationship between India and the United Kingdom.
This visit marks a significant step in fortifying India-UK relations, paving the way for a stronger collaborative future in defence, trade, and technology, aligned with global peace and stability objectives.
"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 India and UK could work together for strengthening a peaceful and stable global rules-based order" Defence Minister Singh wrote on social media platform X.
According to India's Ministry of Defence, Singh said that both nations have made significant strides in moulding and recrafting the historic ties into a modern, multifaceted and mutually beneficial partnership, under the direction of the leaders of both the countries.
Defence Minister Singh spoke about the recent escalation in bilateral defence engagement, encompassing joint military exercises, training, capability enhancement, and increased interoperability, with particular emphasis on maritime ties.
The defence minister also shone a light on the intensified efforts in defence industrial cooperation and technology exchange, reflecting on his constructive interactions with the UK defence sector.
UK National Security Advisor Sir Tim Barrow was present during the meeting.
Defence Minister Singh advocated for the UK and other like-minded nations to collaborate with India in cementing a peaceful, stable, global rules-based order. This partnership, he noted, would be instrumental in India's journey towards becoming a developed nation by the mid-21st century - a vision ardently pursued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under Modi's leadership, India has witnessed sustainable growth, significant poverty reduction, and the establishment of a business-friendly environment.
Echoing these sentiments, Prime Minister Sunak recognized the necessity of UK-India cooperation in trade, defence, and technology. He expressed optimism about the ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations and his government's dedication to promoting the defence and security pillar of this bilateral relationship, including support for enhanced business and technology partnerships.
This high-profile meeting also featured a symbolic exchange, with Defence Minister Singh presenting a Ram Darbar statue to Prime Minister Sunak.
Furthering this diplomatic engagement, the Indian Defence Minister met with the UK's Foreign Minister Lord David Cameron at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Both ministers lauded the renewed vigour and trajectory of the India-UK partnership, marked by intensive engagements across various levels. Singh outlined his ambition for integrating the defence industries of both countries, including supply chain integration, and stressed the importance of bilateral startup interactions and joint project development.
Lord Cameron reaffirmed the UK's eagerness to collaborate with India in defence, particularly in defence industrial collaboration, as a cornerstone for supporting a rule-based international order.
The visit culminated in an interaction with the Indian diaspora at India House, London, where over 160 prominent Indian-origin individuals, including Indian military veterans and families of World War II veterans, gathered. This session emboldened the profound cultural and individual bonds that enhance the strategic relationship between India and the United Kingdom.
This visit marks a significant step in fortifying India-UK relations, paving the way for a stronger collaborative future in defence, trade, and technology, aligned with global peace and stability objectives.
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