Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth on Friday held a bilateral meeting with the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Defence (Minister for the House of Lords), Vernon Coaker, reviewing the ongoing defence engagements and explored ways to further deepen India-UK cooperation. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the UK Carrier Strike Group’s (CSG) visit to India.
MoS Sanjay Seth expressed satisfaction over the successful completion of the sea phase of the bilateral maritime exercise Konkan-25, conducted off India’s western coast by the UK CSG, led by HMS Prince of Wales, alongside the Indian Navy. The CSG is currently participating in harbour phase activities in Mumbai and Goa.
Seth highlighted that such operational interactions enhance mutual understanding of operational philosophies and significantly improve interoperability between the two navies. Both ministers also discussed India’s growing capabilities in indigenous defence manufacturing, which strengthen the nation’s self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta).
The meeting reaffirmed commitments to collaboration in global defence supply chains and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region, supporting a free, open, and rules-based order to ensure freedom of navigation.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, highlighting the strengthening of India-UK ties. Starmer revealed that his visit led to the creation of thousands of new jobs, with UK companies committing £3.6 billion in investments across AI and fintech sectors. Concluding his Mumbai visit on Thursday after extensive discussions with Prime Minister Modi, Starmer said the trip helped the UK capitalise on opportunities arising from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed in July.
