· Foreign
Secretary to build stronger security and defence links as she
visits HMS Queen Elizabeth in Mumbai
· discussing developing security and defence tech, and
strengthening defence-related trade with India during her
trip
· The visit of
the Carrier Strike Group underlines the UK’s increasing defence,
security and maritime co-operation with India and the wider
region.
Foreign Secretary is forging stronger UK security and defence links with
India on her visit to the country, as she visits HMS Queen
Elizabeth in Mumbai today.
The ship is the spearhead of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG), a
symbol of the UK’s world-leading defence capability, whose visit
to Mumbai is a clear sign of our growing defence and maritime
co-operation with India. While in India the CSG is taking part in
the most demanding exercise ever between undertaken between the
UK and India, involving all three military services.
During her visit the Foreign Secretary will progress talks to
ramp up defence and security ties and boost strategic cooperation
in the Indo-Pacific region. It will take forward joint work
agreed by the Prime Minister and Indian Prime Minister Modi in
the landmark 2030 Roadmap on maritime security, cyber security
and counter terrorism signed earlier this year.
She will also discuss developing innovative security and defence
tech with the Indian government to tackle common threats and will
talk through strengthening defence-related trade between the two
countries.
The Foreign Secretary sees developing this security and defence
relationship with India, the world’s largest democracy, as a key
part of the UK’s Indo-Pacific tilt. She wants to strengthen such
links with fast-growing economies and like-minded partners in the
region and build “a network of liberty” around the globe. The
Foreign Secretary sees India as essential in ensuring a free,
open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Foreign Secretary said:
“Closer defence and security partnerships between the UK and
India underpin deeper economic ties and make both countries, as
well as the wider region, safer. We need to protect our sea and
trade routes and, operating from a position of strength, be
hard-headed in defending our interests and challenging unfair
practices.
“The arrival of the Carrier Strike Group in India this weekend
represents the UK’s Indo-Pacific tilt in action. This is a true
symbol of Global Britain, working closely with like-minded
partners like India.”
The Foreign Secretary will join the Queen Elizabeth Carrier at
sea to tour the vessel and observe live exercises involving UK
and US F35B fighter jets.
Chief of Defence Staff Sir Nick Carter is also visiting Mumbai to
see the Carrier Strike Group in action. He joined his Indian
counterpart General Bipin Rawat in Delhi to discuss regional
security and laid a commemorative wreath at the National War
Museum.
Defence Secretary said:
“A strengthened partnership with India is a key pillar of the
UK’s tilt to the Indo-Pacific. Our Carrier Strike group visit
represents an important step towards our goal of establishing a
maritime partnership with India in support of mutual security
objectives in the Indian Ocean.”
The Foreign Secretary will also visit the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
in Mumbai today to lay a wreath at the memorial for those killed
in the 2008 terrorist attacks.
This evening, she will welcome senior business leaders and guests
from the world of education, film, sport and politics onto HMS
Defender, a Type 45 Destroyer, where the UK will showcase its
world-leading tech and innovation in defence, healthcare, science
and climate.
Notes to editors
· The press release for
the first day of the visit can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-travels-to-india-to-strengthen-economic-and-tech-ties-october-2021
· HMS Queen Elizabeth’s
visit follows a two-day maritime exercise in the Bay of Bengal
with the Indian Navy in July and two days of flying exercises
with the Indian Air Force this week.
· The Carrier Strike
Group is led by HMS Queen Elizabeth – the most powerful surface
vessel in the Royal Navy’s history.
· At 65,000 tonnes, it
is the largest surface vessel ever constructed in the UK. It
leads six Royal Navy ships, a Royal Navy submarine, a US Navy
destroyer and a frigate from the Netherlands in the Carrier
Strike Group, the largest concentration of maritime and air power
to sail from the UK in a generation.
