Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to embark on a three-day visit to the UK, signifying the importance of the bilateral partnership in defence and security. This visit holds great significance as the last ministerial level visit from India took place 22 years ago. Previously planned for June 2022, the visit was postponed citing protocol reasons. The visit will include wide-ranging talks with Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, ceremonial events, visits to memorials, and an interaction with the Indian diaspora in the UK.
Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, a Senior Fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, highlights the significance of Singh’s visit in terms of optics and substance. This visit symbolizes the strengthening of India’s political relationship and the building of trust with the UK. It marks a positive development following British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s visit to India for the G20 Summit in September last year.
The visit aims to deepen military cooperation and defence industrial partnerships between India and the UK. It builds upon the November 2023 Defence Consultative Group (DCG) meeting and the inaugural meeting of the 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue in October 2023. The UK, though not currently among India’s major strategic partners, can regain its position through collaboration on ongoing projects including aero-engines with Rolls-Royce, naval electric propulsion with GE (Naval) UK and Rolls-Royce, and ground-based air defence systems with MBDA (UK).
During the visit, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to visit one of these arms manufacturing sites in the UK. The visit comes amidst ongoing concerns over pro-Khalistan violence and legacy issues related to UK defence supplies to India. However, analysts believe that the focus should be on operationalizing India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat agenda in the defence sector.
The India-UK defence partnership has been growing stronger since former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit to India in April 2022. The announcement of an Open General Export Licence (OGEL) for India, reducing bureaucracy and delivery times for defence procurement, bolstered the partnership. As both nations prepare for general elections this year, negotiations for a free trade agreement are also accelerating, expected to significantly enhance the bilateral partnership worth GBP 36 billion.
