New Delhi: India and the United Kingdom have agreed to deepen their defence cooperation, with joint research and development, defence industry partnerships and security in the Indo-Pacific among the main areas discussed during high-level talks in New Delhi.
The discussions took place at the 25th India-UK Defence Consultative Group meeting, where India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the UK’s Permanent Under Secretary for Defence, Jeremy Pocklington, reviewed the two countries’ growing defence relationship.
For Pocklington, the meeting was also his first official visit to India in his current role.
A major focus of the talks was defence technology and industrial cooperation. Both sides discussed expanding collaboration in research and development, with the work linked to the India-UK Vision 2035 and the Ten Year Defence Industrial Roadmap.
The emphasis on joint R&D is significant as both countries look to move their defence relationship beyond the purchase and sale of military equipment. Cooperation in developing technology together can give Indian and British companies and research institutions more opportunities to work on future defence systems.
The two sides also reviewed military-to-military engagement. Regular exercises, professional exchanges and cooperation between the armed forces have become an important part of the wider relationship between India and the UK.
The Indo-Pacific was another key part of the discussions.
The region has become increasingly important to both countries as trade routes, maritime security and strategic competition continue to shape the wider security environment. India has been expanding its defence partnerships with several countries in the region, while the UK has increased its military and diplomatic engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
For India, the focus is closely linked to its wider approach to maritime security and its role in maintaining stability across the Indian Ocean and the broader Indo-Pacific.
The UK, meanwhile, has been seeking a stronger long-term presence in the region through defence cooperation, military deployments and partnerships with countries including India.
The latest meeting does not represent a new defence pact between the two countries. Instead, it is part of an ongoing process of strengthening an existing partnership through more regular cooperation in technology, industry and military engagement.
That distinction matters because much of the India-UK defence relationship is now moving towards longer-term cooperation rather than being centred on individual agreements or equipment deals.
The two governments have already identified defence and security as important parts of their broader bilateral relationship under Vision 2035. The latest discussions provide another opportunity to review that progress and identify areas where cooperation can be expanded.
For India, stronger cooperation with the UK also fits into its wider effort to develop domestic defence manufacturing and technology. Joint development and research can potentially give Indian industry greater access to international expertise while supporting the country’s push for more indigenous defence capabilities.
For Britain, India represents an important strategic partner in a region that is becoming increasingly central to global security and trade.
The two sides will now continue discussions on the areas identified during the meeting, including defence industrial cooperation, research and development, military engagement and the wider security environment in the Indo-Pacific.
The relationship is becoming broader, but the next test will be how much of that cooperation moves from discussions and roadmaps into actual joint projects and capabilities.
