New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh co-chaired the 25th India-UK Defence Consultative Group (DCG) Meeting with the Permanent Under Secretary (PUS) for Defence of the UK, Jeremy Pocklington, at New Delhi on Friday, where both countries reviewed the ongoing defence industrial cooperation with emphasis on Research and Development through the India-UK vision 2035 and the Ten-year Defence Industrial Roadmap.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence, both sides agreed to expand bilateral exchanges between the armed forces of India and the UK through joint exercises, training and capacity building.
“They acknowledged the robust maritime security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, including establishment of the Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI),” read the statement.
“The Secretaries exchanged views on issues of regional peace and security and reaffirmed their commitment to mutual security and strategic autonomy. Both sides reiterated that the India-UK Strategic Partnership is based on shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect,” it added.
This was Secretary Pocklington’s first visit to India in his capacity as Permanent Under Secretary for Defence of the UK. Before the DCG meeting, the UK Defence Secretary laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid homage to the bravehearts who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of our nation.
He also visited Gandhi Smriti Museum and National Defence College, New Delhi. During the visit, he had a bilateral interaction with General NS Raja Subramani, the Chief of Defence Staff.
“The visit underlined the longstanding defence cooperation between the two countries and regular exchange of views on issues of mutual interest,” said the Ministry.
In June, India and the United Kingdom held the 15th Executive Steering Group (ESG) meeting in London to discuss ways to enhance defence cooperation and deepen the long-standing partnership between the Indian Army and the British Army.
The meeting was held from June 17-19, and engagements included visits to the UK Trials and Experimental Group.
The talks centred on advancing multi-tiered military cooperation through enhanced interoperability, bilateral joint exercises and training, exchanges of subject matter experts in niche and emerging military technologies, exploration of new avenues for training collaboration, and increased engagement between defence think tanks.
–IANS
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