Rajnath Singh Meets Rishi Sunak in London, Discusses Key Issues

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in London to discuss defense, trade, and regional issues. The ongoing FTA negotiations and cooperation between the two countries were also part of the talks.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street in London on Wednesday, January 10, 2023. The two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, including defence, trade, and regional matters. The ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the UK were also touched upon during the meeting.

Discussions with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron

In addition to meeting with Prime Minister Sunak, Defence Minister Singh also held talks with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen India-UK ties and deepen cooperation between the two countries.

UK-India Defence Industry CEOs Roundtable

Prior to his meetings with Prime Minister Sunak and Foreign Secretary Cameron, Defence Minister Singh co-chaired a UK-India Defence Industry CEOs Roundtable with his UK counterpart, Grant Shapps. The roundtable was attended by several chief executives from the UK defence industry, UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials, and representatives from the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII India).

Enriching Partnership with the UK

During his address at the roundtable, Defence Minister Singh emphasized India's vision for an enriching partnership with the UK based on cooperation, co-creation, and co-innovation. He highlighted the potential for both countries to achieve great things together by synergizing their strengths.

Strengthening India-UK Defence Industrial Relationship

The UK Minister of State for Defence Procurement, James Cartildge, also participated in the meeting. Thematic discussions were held on strengthening the India-UK defence industrial relationship, with a focus on investment and technology collaboration. Defence Minister Singh welcomed the UK's involvement in these areas and highlighted India's skilled human resource base, pro-FDI and pro-business ecosystem, and large domestic market.

Three-Day Visit to the UK

Defence Minister Singh's visit to the UK marks the first time in 22 years that an Indian Defence Minister has visited the country. During his three-day visit, he is scheduled to interact with members of the Indian diaspora at a community reception before concluding his visit on Wednesday evening.