India, UK review defence cooperation, agree to expand military exchanges
New Delhi, August 21. India and the United Kingdom on August 21 reviewed their ongoing defence-industrial cooperation and agreed to deepen military-to-military engagement through joint exercises, training and capacity-building initiatives, as the two countries held the 25th India-UK Defence Consultative Group (DCG) meeting in New Delhi.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh co-chaired the meeting with Jeremy Pocklington, Permanent Under Secretary for Defence of the UK. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, with particular emphasis on research and development under the India-UK Vision 2035 and the 10-year Defence Industrial Roadmap.
The two sides also agreed to expand exchanges between their armed forces through greater cooperation in joint exercises, training programmes and capacity building. The discussions underscored the growing importance of military-to-military engagement in strengthening the broader India-UK strategic partnership.
Maritime security in the Indo-Pacific also figured prominently in the talks. India and the UK took note of their expanding cooperation in the region, including the establishment of the Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence under India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
The two officials exchanged views on regional peace and security and reaffirmed their commitment to mutual security and strategic autonomy. They also reiterated that the India-UK Strategic Partnership is founded on shared principles of peace, stability, freedom and mutual respect.
The meeting marked Pocklington’s first visit to India since assuming charge as the UK’s Permanent Under Secretary for Defence. During his visit, he paid homage to Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. He also visited Gandhi Smriti Museum and the National Defence College in New Delhi.
Pocklington separately held talks with Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani, with the two sides discussing issues of mutual interest.
The visit highlighted the longstanding defence ties between India and the UK and the importance attached by both countries to regular consultations on regional and global security developments. The latest DCG meeting is expected to provide further momentum to cooperation in defence technology, industrial collaboration, military training and maritime security.
