India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, embarked on a three-day visit to the UK, engaging in crucial discussions with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Defence Minister Grant Shapps from January 8th.
In the meeting with PM Rishi Sunak, the focus was on bolstering ties and advancing ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement. Singh emphasized positive interactions with the UK defense industry and underscored the objective of integrating defense sectors in both nations.
Conversations with Defence Minister Grant Shapps covered a spectrum of defense, security, and cooperation matters, with a specific emphasis on enhancing defense industrial collaboration. Shapps emphasized that the relationship between the UK and India transcends transactional aspects, portraying both countries as natural partners with shared goals.
The visit resulted in two significant agreements between India and the UK—an MoU facilitating a bilateral international cadet exchange program and a Letter of Arrangement between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation and the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, focusing on defense collaboration in research and development. These agreements aim to boost people-to-people exchanges, particularly among the youth, and foster broader collaboration in defense research between the two countries.
Rajnath Singh was honored with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Horse Guards Parade Ground before engaging in bilateral discussions with his UK counterpart, marking a milestone in the diplomatic interactions between the two nations.
