The United Kingdom’s Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral
Sir Tony Radakin, is taking part in a series of high-level
meetings in India this week, continuing momentum in building
strategic ties between the two countries.
The CDS began his 3-day visit by paying homage to the fallen
soldiers at the National War Memorial this morning (17 April),
ahead of his first meeting with his Indian counterpart, General
Anil Chauhan.
The two Chiefs reviewed progress on various pillars of the
UK-India defence partnership and exchanged views to further
expand ties in all the domains. The UK and India are natural
partners in defence and share a strong and enduring relationship,
including collaboration in research, development and training.
Following the signing of an updated Memorandum of Understanding
in 2019, discussions around industrial collaboration in the
aerospace sector have been progressing, with the UK’s Minister
for Defence Procurement visiting in February and the First Sea
Lord visiting in March.
, Defence Secretary, said:
India is a valued defence partner for the UK and our relationship
continues to flourish across our research and industrial sectors.
Both our nations are committed to the stability and prosperity of
the Indo-Pacific and we continue to train and operate alongside
our Indian partners to promote security in the region.
Admiral Radakin subsequently held discussions with the Chief of
the Naval Staff, Admiral Hari Kumar, Chief of the Army Staff,
General Manoj Pande, Defence Secretary, Giridhar Aramane, and
Additional Secretary Defence Production, T Natarajan.
Over the next two days, Admiral Radakin will be hosted by various
establishments of the Indian Armed Forces across the country,
with a view to boost military-to-military engagement and explore
opportunities around the co-creation of future technologies.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, said:
My visit to India reflects the United Kingdom’s belief that our
security is indivisible from that of the wider world. As a global
trading nation it matters to the UK that the Indo-Pacific is open
and free, which is why the British Armed Forces is establishing
the broadest and most integrated presence in the region of any
European nation.
India and the UK are natural partners in a world that is becoming
more contested and volatile. We share many of the same democratic
instincts and values and are both committed to the rule of law.
We are respected military powers, both undergoing significant
investment and modernisation, and exercising together across,
land, sea and air. But we can do more. I value the opportunity to
meet with General Anil Chauhan to discuss how we can develop our
partnership in a way that benefits our mutual security and
prosperity.
The Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force are all
carrying out exercises with their Indian equivalents this year,
developing interoperability and joint tactics.
In recent weeks, HMS Lancaster visited Kochi to train alongside
the Indian Navy as part of Exercise Konkan, while five Mirage
2000 fighters were flown by Indian Air Force pilots in the Royal
Air Force’s largest aerial exercise in the UK – Exercise Cobra
Warrior.
Later this month, soldiers from the Indian Army will deploy to
the UK to take part in Exercise Ajeya Warrior, training alongside
the British Army.
The visit of CDS also coincides with the visit of the Chief of
the Air Staff (CAS) of the Royal Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sir
Mike Wigston. The visit of two of the senior-most officers of the
UK’s armed forces exemplifies the importance with which the UK
holds its defence and security partnership with India.
Further information
- free-to-use photos from the CDS’ visit to India will be
uploaded here
- to respond to a more contested and volatile world, the UK
refreshed its Integrated Review in
March 2023, significantly increasing its defence funding to
tackle global challenges
- the visit of the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Air
Staff follows a series of bilateral visits and military
engagements between the UK and India since the beginning of 2023
- earlier this month, HMS Tamar concluded its patrol in the
Indian Ocean where it made multiple port calls in India at the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chennai and Visakhapatnam
- the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key visited India in
March, leading the UK’s participation at the Raisina Dialogue
co-organised by India’s Ministry of External Affairs
