Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with his British colleague Grant Shapps on Tuesday and had "fruitful discussions" on a variety of matters relating to defence collaboration, security, and increasing defence industrial cooperation. Singh's visit comes 22 years after the previous visit by an Indian military minister to the UK, in January 2002. Taking to X, he stated: "Had an excellent meeting with UK Defence Minister, Mr. Grant Shapps. We reviewed the full range of India-UK defence relations. We had fruitful discussions on a wide range of issues pertaining to defence cooperation, security and also on enhancing defence industrial cooperation."
Shapps emphasised that the connection between the UK and India is not transactional, but rather that both nations are natural partners with numerous similarities and shared aims, according to the Union Ministry of Defence, who hailed the meeting as "very warm" and beneficial exchange of ideas, PTI reported.
Singh praised the two nations' growing strategic convergence, notably in the Indo-Pacific region.
Following the bilateral meeting, two agreements were signed: an MoU on the conduct of a bilateral international cadet exchange programme, and a Letter of Arrangement on defence collaboration in research and development between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL). According to the ministry, these agreements would boost people-to-people interactions, particularly among youth, as well as bigger areas of military research collaboration between the two nations.
Shapps received Singh with a formal Guard of Honour welcome in the heart of Whitehall, the UK government headquarters, before inviting him to view the unique march in Hindi. The British Army's Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards and the Band of the Irish Guards marched in their regimental colours, with 48 rank and file personnel dressed in their regimental colours.
"At the request of the UK Secretary of State for Defence, The Right Honourable Grant Shapps, Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards, immaculate in their athol grey greatcoats and black bearskin caps, presented a Guard of Honour on Horse Guards Parade for Rajnath Singh,” a statement issued by UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) was quoted by PTI in its report.
“The Captain of the Guard, Captain Zacharias Faja, invited the Indian Defence Minister to inspect the Guard of Honour in Hindi, showing the ultimate respect to the esteemed visitor,” the statement reads.
The regiments represented on iconic parade grounds were among the most historic in the British Army and have a reputation for dual role excellence in combat operations and ceremonial duties for nearly 400 years, framed by the Old Admiralty building on one side, No. 10 Downing Street on the other, and with a clear view of Buckingham Palace.
“India is an equal partner for the UK, and that friendship is highly valued, as today’s Guard of Honour testifies,” the MoD said.
“India and the UK are committed to a partnership that delivers for both countries. That shared vision is for revitalised and dynamic connections between our people; re-energised trade, investment and technological collaboration that improves the lives and livelihoods of our citizens; enhanced defence and security cooperation that brings a more secure Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific and India-UK leadership in climate, clean energy and health that acts as a global force for good,” it said.
The countries are collaborating through the Defence Consultative Group on a "new, ambitious" Strategic Collaborative Partnership on research, innovation, technology, and industry to develop transformational defence and security capabilities to address common threats and operational challenges in the future, according to the ministry.
"Visits like this help to increase understanding about our shared military capabilities, objectives and priorities, all of which are vital for a stronger UK-India strategic partnership,” it added.
Earlier, Singh began his UK trip by paying a visit to Mahatma Gandhi's statue in downtown London's Tavistock Square.
Singh paid floral respects to the Father of the Nation at the memorial, which dates back to the twentieth century, accompanied by Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami and members of his entourage.
The renowned Gandhi in meditation stance sculpture is the location of yearly Gandhi Jayanti and Martyr's Day commemorations by members of the Indian diaspora, some of whom had congregated in the area to engage with the minister.
“Ninth January is a symbolic date from the perspective of Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa to Mumbai in 1915, which is commemorated in the form of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in India, marking the rich contribution of the Overseas Indian community towards the development of the country,” noted the Indian Ministry of Defence.
Later that day, Singh paid honours to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Dalit rights fighter and architect of the Indian Constitution, at the Ambedkar Museum in north London before praying at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, also known as the Neasden Temple in London.
Singh landed in London on Monday night, accompanied by a Ministry of Defence group comprising top officials from DRDO, Service Headquarters, the Department of Defence, and the Department of Defence Production, for a three-day visit. In addition to meeting with Shapps, he is scheduled to meet with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary David Cameron.
The Raksha Mantri will also meet with defence sector leaders at a roundtable discussion and later meet with members of the Indian community at a reception hosted by the Indian High Commission in London before returning early on Thursday.