New Delhi: In a meeting between Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and UK Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps in London, both nations decided to elevate cooperation in the defence and industrial sectors. This visit marks a historic occasion, with Rajnath Singh being the first Indian Defence Minister to visit the UK since George Fernandes in 2002. He laid flowers at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Tavistock Square before engaging in discussions with Grant Shapps.
The ministerial discussions prioritised reinforcing defence-industrial cooperation, highlighting the exemplary friendship between Bharat and the UK. Grant Shapps emphasised their shared principles and goals, characterising the two nations as strategic partners. Rajnath Singh underscored the growing need for collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
The meeting resulted in the signing of a memorandum of understanding, paving the way for an International Cadet Exchange Programme (ICEP) between Bharat and the UK. Furthermore, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to collaborate closely with the British Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) for joint efforts in defense research. An agreement was signed by both parties for this.
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