India, UK review defence industrial cooperation

India and the United Kingdom convened a meeting on defense industrial cooperation on Friday, focusing on Research & Development via the India-UK Vision 2035 and the 10-year Defense Industrial Roadmap. The 25th India-UK Defence Consultative Group meeting took place in New Delhi, with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and UK Permanent Under Secretary (PUS) for Defence Jeremy Pocklington attending.

The statement from India's Defence Ministry highlighted that both parties agreed to enhance bilateral exchanges between their armed forces via joint exercises, training, and capacity building. They also appreciated the existing strong maritime security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, including the establishment of the Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).

The exchange of views on regional peace and security was noted, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to mutual security and strategic autonomy. Pocklington, visiting India for the first time in his role as UK's Permanent Under Secretary for Defence, laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and visited Gandhi Smriti Museum and National Defence College.

A bilateral meeting with General N S Raja Subramani, the Chief of Defence Staff, also took place. The visit underscored the long-standing defense cooperation and regular dialogue on mutual interests between the two nations.