CDS general Chauhan in UK to deepen military cooperation, boost defence industry partnerships | India News
It is the first official visit of an Indian CDS to Britain and marks the fifth senior UK-India military engagement this year, following the visit of UK Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Harvey Smith to India in March.“On an official visit by General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defense Staff CDS UK, a formal action line was delivered and received by Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, UK CDS, emphasizing a strong, future-ready India-UK defense partnership. He also interacted with India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Mr Vikram K Doraiswamy,” the Integrated Defense Staff (IDS) headquarters posted at X.“The visit will deepen defense cooperation and advance defense industry and intelligence cooperation, cyber cooperation, strategic communication and joint exercises. The visit reinforces a shared commitment to global security, stability and resilience,” IDS further said.British defense industry representatives are scheduled to meet General Chouhan to progress talks on greater defense co-production between the two countries.“General Chauhan’s landmark visit demonstrates the confidence and ambition to drive the UK-India defense partnership. We are increasing cooperation to strengthen interoperability, foster innovation and support a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific,” said British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron. “From joint training and defense industry cooperation to strategic dialogue, we are moving faster and closer, as India is a key defense partner for the UK. We will continue to build on this momentum in the months ahead,” he said.In February, the UK and India signed an agreement for the IAF to deploy three qualified flying instructors to the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley, a training base for British fast-jet pilots. Indian officers are attached as instructors to three service academies in the UK.The visits come after India and the UK launched a 10-year defense industry roadmap under the Vision 2035 agreement to enhance, strengthen security and contribute to international stability.
