New Delhi, 20 April (H.S.):

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan arrived in the United Kingdom on an official visit on Monday. In London, he was received by UK Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton. The two military leaders underscored the strength of the India-UK defence partnership and its future-oriented character. General Chauhan also held discussions with India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram K. Doraiswami.

According to Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, the visit is expected to further strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries. It is also likely to boost collaboration in defence industry, intelligence sharing, cyber cooperation, strategic communication and joint military exercises. The tour is being seen as a reaffirmation of the two countries’ shared commitment to global security and stability, while also reflecting trust and growing expectations between their armed forces.

During their interactions, the military leadership of both countries is expected to discuss ways to deepen cooperation in training, operations and defence industry partnerships.

In a statement in New Delhi, the British High Commission said senior civilian and military officials from the UK would engage with General Chauhan during his visit. Representatives of the British defence industry will also meet him to advance discussions on greater defence co-production between the two countries. General Chauhan is also scheduled to tour the Royal College of Defence Studies, where he will meet a multinational group of students.

This is the first official UK visit by an Indian CDS and the fifth senior military engagement between the UK and India this year. Earlier, in March, the UK Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smith, visited India.

British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron said the historic visit reflects the trust and ambition driving the UK-India defence partnership forward. She said both sides are strengthening cooperation to improve interoperability, promote innovation and support a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific. From joint exercises and defence industry cooperation to strategic dialogue, the two countries are moving closer together, she said, adding that India is a key defence partner for the UK. She said this momentum will continue in the months ahead.

British High Commission Defence Adviser Commodore Chris Saunders said the two countries have already made major progress across all areas of defence, and General Chauhan’s visit shows how much shared ambition lies ahead. He said the visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the military relationship, expand aspirations for collaborative training and explore how defence industry cooperation can be taken further. He added that both the UK and India want to use defence as an engine of growth and support India’s path toward self-reliance, calling it an exciting time for UK-India defence cooperation.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar