London: In a diplomatic stride to strengthen the historic ties between India and the United Kingdom, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh called on UK Prime Minister Mr. Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street, London on January 10, 2024. The meeting showcased the warm and cordial relations between the two nations as they discussed various facets of their evolving partnership.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the significant strides made in shaping the bilateral relationship into a modern and multifaceted partnership. He underlined the recent enhancements in bilateral defence engagement, focusing on joint exercises, training, capability building, increased interoperability, and military-to-military ties, especially in the maritime domain.
Emphasizing ongoing efforts to enhance defence industrial cooperation, Shri Rajnath Singh briefed Prime Minister Sunak on his positive interactions with the UK defence industry and the renewed positive energy in the bilateral defence relationship.
The Raksha Mantri expressed the importance of the UK and other like-minded countries collaborating with India to strengthen a peaceful and stable global rules-based order. He highlighted the need for friendly collaboration to reinforce India’s inexorable rise on the international stage.
Shri Rajnath Singh shared Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of leading 1.4 billion Indians toward the national objective of becoming a developed country by the mid-21st century. He noted India’s sustained growth, drastic reduction in poverty, and the establishment of a business-friendly architecture. The Government of India is ready to partner with countries like the UK to strengthen the rule-based world order.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed with the Raksha Mantri on the importance of collaboration in the domains of trade, defence, and technology. He expressed hope for the successful conclusion of the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and underscored his government’s eagerness to strengthen the defence and security pillar of the bilateral relationship.
During the meeting, Shri Rajnath Singh presented a Ram Darbar statue to Prime Minister Sunak. The meeting was attended by UK NSA Sir Tim Barrow.
Subsequently, the Raksha Mantri met with the UK’s Foreign Minister Lord David Cameron at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Both ministers appreciated the new momentum and direction of the India-UK partnership, signified by intense engagements at various levels.
Shri Rajnath Singh outlined his goal of integrating the defence industries of both countries, including supply chain integration to build resilience. He emphasized the importance of bilateral interactions at the start-up level and the identification and discussion of joint projects.
Foreign Secretary Cameron reiterated the UK government’s desire to collaborate with India in the defence areas, particularly in defence industrial collaboration, as a means to strengthen support for a rule-based international order.
Later in the day, the Raksha Mantri interacted with the Indian community at India House, London, where over 160 prominent persons of Indian origin attended the session. The gathering included Indian military ex-servicemen and family members of World War II veterans, adding a historical touch to the engagement.