India, UK set roadmap to deepen defence cooperation at key steering group meeting
India and the United Kingdom have held “constructive and forward-looking” discussions aimed at strengthening defence ties and charting a robust roadmap for deeper military cooperation, according to officials.
The 15th India-UK Executive Steering Group (ESG) meeting was held in the United Kingdom from June 17 to 19, during which both sides reviewed ongoing defence engagements and explored new areas of collaboration.
The Indian Army said in a post on X that the engagement included visits to the UK Trials & Experimental Group, meetings at the Ministry of Defence in London, and interactions at defence company MBDA in Stevenage.
Discussions focused on enhancing interoperability between the two armed forces, expanding bilateral joint exercises, strengthening training programmes, and increasing exchanges of subject matter experts in emerging and niche military technologies. Both sides also explored greater cooperation between defence think tanks.
Officials said the deliberations laid the foundation for a structured roadmap to further deepen India-UK defence cooperation and strengthen long-term strategic partnership between the two armies.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had noted that India and the UK are well placed to build a forward-looking and mutually beneficial partnership, supported by a comprehensive trade agreement and a defence industrial roadmap.
