Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
India

Rajnath calls on Sunak during UK visit, discuss enhancing defence ties

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Jan, 2024 02:06 PM
  • Rajnath calls on Sunak during UK visit, discuss enhancing defence ties

New Delhi, Jan 11 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called on British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street, London, said officials on Thursday, adding that both discussed enhancing defence ties between the two countries.

The meeting took place on Wednesday during which Singh recalled the recent enhancement in bilateral defence engagement, spanning joint exercises, training, capability building, increased interoperability and military-to-military ties especially in the maritime domain.

Sunak fully agreed with Rajnath Singh on the need for UK and India to work in the domains of trade, defence and technology. In particular, he expressed hope that the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations could be brought to a successful conclusion soon. He was keen to bloster defence and security pillar of India-UK ties, officials said.

Sunak also underlined his keenness, and that of his government, to strengthen the defence and security pillar of the bilateral relationship, including through government backing for stronger business and technology partnerships with Indian counterpart entities, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) official added.

The Ministry of Defence said that Singh emphasised the ongoing efforts to enhance defence industrial cooperation, including in the technology domain.

The meeting was warm and cordial, said the official, adding that the Defence Minister highlighted 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.

According to the MoD, Rajnath Singh briefed Sunak about his positive interactions with the UK defence industry and the new positive energy in the bilateral defence relationship.

The Defence Minister stated that the UK and other like-minded countries should work with India for strengthening 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.

Rajnath Singh further stated that at the international level, the Government of India is ready to partner with friends like the UK to strengthen the rule-based world order.

Singh gifted a Ram Darbar statue to the UK PM during the meeting, which was also attended by UK National Security Adviser (NSA) Sir Tim Barrow.

Singh also met with the UK's Foreign Minister Lord David Cameron at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The Ministers appreciated the new momentum and direction of the India-UK partnership, symbolised by intense engagements at various levels, the official said.

The India Defence Minister outlined his goal of integrating defence industries of both countries, including through supply chain integration to build resilience. He also emphasised the importance of bilateral startup level interaction, and identification and discussion of joint projects which India and UK could implement together.

Foreign Secretary Cameron reiterated the UK government's desire to collaborate with India in the defence areas, particularly in the field of defence industrial collaboration, as one of the means by which the UK hopes to strengthen the support for a rule-based international order, official added.

Later, Singh interacted with the Indian community at India House, London. Over 160 prominent persons of Indian origin attended the interaction. A number of Indian military ex-servicemen, including few family members of World War II veterans, were also present.

MORE India ARTICLES

Delhi court grants bail to Bajrang Punia in criminal defamation case

Delhi court grants bail to Bajrang Punia in criminal defamation case
A Delhi court on Thursday granted bail to wrestler Bajrang Punia in a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by sports coach Naresh Dahiya.

Delhi court grants bail to Bajrang Punia in criminal defamation case

Delhi govt to bear all expenses of artificial rain to tackle air pollution: Officials

Delhi govt to bear all expenses of artificial rain to tackle air pollution: Officials
The Delhi government has decided to bear the full expense of artificial rain as a measure to combat the severe air pollution in the city, officials said on Thursday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has issued an order directing the Chief Secretary to represent the government's standpoint in front of the Supreme Court on Friday.  

Delhi govt to bear all expenses of artificial rain to tackle air pollution: Officials

15 injured in LPG cylinder explosion in Bihar's East Champaran

15 injured in LPG cylinder explosion in Bihar's East Champaran
At least 15 persons sustained burn injuries after an LPG cylinder exploded in Bihar's East Champaran district, authorities said. The incident took place on Thursday evening at Pakhnahiya village under Palanwa police station in the district.

15 injured in LPG cylinder explosion in Bihar's East Champaran

NIA raids 8 locations in UP, Uttarakhand and Punjab in drugs seizure case

NIA raids 8 locations in UP, Uttarakhand and Punjab in drugs seizure case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday said that it carried out searches at eight locations in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh in a heroin seizure case. An NIA spokesperson here said that the agency sleuths carried out searches at the residences and offices of individuals involved in this case.

NIA raids 8 locations in UP, Uttarakhand and Punjab in drugs seizure case

'Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0 likely to begin in December, in hybrid mode'

'Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0 likely to begin in December, in hybrid mode'
Amid demands for the second leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress sources on Tuesday indicated that the party is considering this and it could commence any time between December 2023 and February 2024, if finalised. A party source indicated that the discussions are on for the second leg of the yatra led by party leader Rahul Gandhi and it might begin in December first week and end before February end next year.

'Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0 likely to begin in December, in hybrid mode'

Internet services suspended in Pulwama

Internet services suspended in Pulwama
 Internet services have been suspended from Wampora and Hunipora areas of south Kashmir's Pulwama district due to security reasons until November 8, officials said.

Internet services suspended in Pulwama