July 28, 2023
3 mins read

UK, India hold first defence, military tech cooperation workshop

The workshop, held within this closed-door track 1.5 format, attracted high-level participation, including a drop-in by UK National Security Adviser (NSA) Sir Tim Barrow…reports Asian Lite News

Senior government officials, sectoral experts and industry representatives came together in London for a first-of-its-kind discussion to explore synergies between India and the UK in the defence and military technology sector and work as a catalyst to enhance bilateral cooperation in the sphere.

The UK-India Defence and Military Technology Cooperation workshop, organised by the London-based think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in partnership with India’s Bharat Shakti defence platform on Tuesday, explored collaborative defence research and industrial production partnerships between the two countries.

https://twitter.com/manshi093/status/1684483215812329472

It covered topics such as the ‘Evolving strategic context of UK-India defence relations’, ‘Perspectives on India’s Atmanirbhar programme and the UK’s defence technology partnerships’ and boosting military and manufacturing partnerships against the backdrop of the India-UK 2030 Roadmap’s focus on ‘Defence and Security’ as a key pillar of bilateral ties.

“This is very much part of what we are trying to achieve in the relationship, to move the strategic and defence pillar forward,” said Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami, who delivered the opening remarks at the workshop.

“It is eminently doable and within our reach. The presence of so many distinguished folks suggests that there is a forward-leaning approach of His Majesty’s government, and I can assure you it is fully reciprocated. We do want to develop this pillar further,” he said during a post-event reception at India House in London.

A new, ambitious strategic collaborative partnership on research, innovation, technology and industry to develop transformational defence and security capabilities was flagged within the India-UK 2030 Roadmap, signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart, Boris Johnson, in May 2021. Last week, a Defence Command Paper noted that the UK sought to “deepen industrial partnerships, move capability collaboration to new levels, and explore shared export opportunities”, to build on the UK-India 2030 Roadmap. “Yet, collaborative defence research and industrial production partnerships between the two countries remain, I believe, underwhelming; especiallyat a time when India is fast undertaking such ventures with the US and France. Clearly, much more could and needed to be done,” said Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, Senior Fellow for South and Central Asia at IISS, who led the new initiative.

“The single most important objective of the workshop is to serve as a catalyst for change in the India-UK defence relationship by building mutual trust and identifying key opportunities for defence research collaboration and defence industrial partnerships,” he said.

“This is to take place through a more sophisticated understanding of the evolving convergences in their respective foreign and security policies; identifying mutual defence capabilities and limitations along with national technological priorities; seeking to overcome challenges to building collaborative defence industrial partnerships; and ensuring a continuous process of high-level informal ‘track 1.5’ engagement between both countries,” he added.

The workshop, held within this closed-door track 1.5 format, attracted high-level participation, including a drop-in by UK National Security Adviser (NSA) Sir Tim Barrow.

It is expected to become a regular feature in the bilateral calendar, with the next edition planned for New Delhi early next year and a third follow-up in London.

The key players at the workshop included Ambassador P.S. Raghavan, Chairman of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), Government ofIndia; Matthew Collins, UK’s Deputy NSA (Intelligence, Defence and Security); Dr Ajay Kumar, India’s former Defence Secretary and Defence Production Secretary; Shimon Fhima, Director, Strategic Programmes, and David Williams, Permanent Secretary, at the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Other experts joining the workshop sessions included Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, former Scientific Advisor to India’s Defence Minister and former chairman, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO); Conrad Banks, Chief Engineer, Defence Future Programmes, Rolls-Royce; Nitin Gokhale, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Bharat Shakti; Ashok Atluri, Chairman and Managing Director, Zen Technologies Limited; and Richard McCallum, CEO, UK India Business Council (UKIBC).

ALSO READ-UNFCCC, COP28 urge G20 to take lead in climate change mitigation

Previous Story

India, Japan cement ties, call for rules-based Indo-Pacific

Next Story

Blair calls on Odisha CM, discusses economic growth  

Latest from -Top News

India opens world’s highest rail bridge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir and flagged off the much-awaited Vande Bharat Express to Srinagar, marking a historic moment

Sisi, MBZ cement ties

UAE and Egypt bolster ties through high-level talks in Abu Dhabi and a landmark cardiac care initiative delivering lifesaving treatment to rural communities The United Arab Emirates and Egypt reaffirmed their strong

‘UAE leads global fight against plastic waste’

UAE accelerates its fight against plastic pollution with a bold single-use plastic ban and expanded environmental policies to safeguard natural ecosystems for future generations The United Arab Emirates continues to lead the

70,000 Gaza kids starve

WFP warned that any further escalation of conflict could paralyse relief operations altogether, deepening the plight of civilians—especially children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies, the

Prayers on the Mount

The Day of Arafat, considered the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage, witnessed a congregation of believers from around the world As the sun blazed overhead and temperatures climbed to a sweltering 41°C,
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India-US eye June trade deal

The trade discussions come at a crucial time, with the

India team up with US to counter Afghan threats

The decision on increasing cooperation against terrorism was taken at